Harvesting 2022
“This vintage seemed to predict a harvest that was by no means easy. Due to the frequent waves of extreme heat and drought that hit Italy, the vineyards risked having a reduced yield and the wines having a high alcohol content and structure being too full-bodied. Initially we thought of having an early harvest, but Nature amazed us once again. In August the scenario changed: thanks to the providential rains that gave us a new perspective.“
Here in the Sienese Chianti, the winter was characterized by above normal temperatures and low rainfall, conditions which then characterized all the vegetative phases, defining 2022 as the driest year since 1800. A long-lasting abnormal heat spell combined with a deep drought strongly affected the growth and the vegetative development: the vines, however, were able to resist and adapt to the anomalous climatic conditions. This is also thanks to more modern vineyard cultivation techniques and, above all, the introduction of emergency irrigation.
The months of May, June and especially July, for example, recorded heat peaks that exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. In August, “intelligent” rainfall arrived to most of the country, which means that it did not cause damage, but rather allowed our vines to resume their vegetative growth and conclude the ripening process of the grapes.
The moderate rains in late August cooled the air and granted a perfect temperature range between day and night, which is essential for the phenolic ripeness of our grapes. Our vineyards reacted well and were in excellent condition at the time of harvest, which officially started on September 6th here in our Estate, with perfectly wholesome Merlot grapes; the ideal September weather conditions allowed us to reap excellent Sangiovese clusters starting from the 21st. Then we closed up with the harvest in the smaller Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah vineyards in the first half of October, when there was a slight increase in production of about 10-15%. Thanks to the favorable climatic conditions the musts provided excellent quality, with a good sugar / acidity ratio.
In conclusion, we can say that the persistence of the dry season gave us perfectly healthy and highly concentrated grapes; in the cellar, we limited the maceration periods and micro-oxygenated the musts in order to be able to obtain wines with soft tannins and rich fruity bouquets.
The 2022 vintage promises dense and powerful wines, with important structures and a privileged footprint!
