If the 2024 harvest is characterized by a two-speed trend in Maremma, as explained by the Consortium, what is the situation in the rest of Tuscany? Here is how the grape harvest is going between Chianti Classico, Colline Pisane and Val d’Orcia in the voice of the wineries.
The 2024 Harvest in Chianti Classico
Ricasoli 1141 is one of the most iconic companies in Tuscany and has over 240 hectares of vineyards between 250 and 500 meters above sea level in Chianti Classico. Here, after a rainy winter and spring, summer is making itself felt and Francesco Ricasoli declares:
“The good accumulation of water created in the winter and spring months is helping the plants to continue with veraison. The high temperatures of July and early August are, however, putting the vines to the test, which however to date show no signs of suffering”.
Management of the soil and the vegetative wall was fundamental but, the producer concludes: “A refreshing rain between now and the end of August would be ideal”.
Castello di Querceto has 65 hectares of vineyards between 400 and 530 meters above sea level. Simone François speaks of a “harmonious vintage”. The 2024 season developed with a vegetative awakening slowed down by the low temperatures of April and with a rather rainy spring, but without problems from a phytosanitary point of view.
“The summer is hot and the ripening is within standard times”, concludes the producer. “The quantity present on the plants today is abundant and we plan to thin out to guarantee perfect ripening and excellent quality of the grapes that will be harvested, in particular for the Sangiovese”.
Massa has 22 hectares in the Conca d’Oro of Panzano in Chianti. Producer Giampaolo Motta and technical director Francesco Mazzi say:
“The winter was mild. Abundant rains – about 400 mm fell in the first six months – created a good water reserve, complicating the organization of work in the countryside but without causing damage. Budding slightly early and excellent vegetative development of the plants. July saw sunny and warm weather with temperatures steadily above 32° which brought some signs of thermal stress to the most exposed vineyards”.
“For the 2024 harvest, it will depend a lot on the weather in August. We hope that temperatures drop a bit and that some healthy summer storms come to hydrate the plants and grapes. At the moment the yields seem average, with a slight advance on veraison and ripening. Let’s cross our fingers”.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ipsus is born in Il Caggio, near Castellina in Chianti, on 6.5 precious hectares of Sangiovese. Here Giovanni Mazzei states: “In terms of ripening, we are in line with recent years. The prolonged period of rain between May and June has allowed us to collect an excellent reserve of water in the soil and we can see, in these last weeks, the benefits on the plants that skilfully adapt to the high temperatures. In fact, despite the several weeks without rain and with high temperature peaks, the plants demonstrate an excellent physiological state, with bright colors and no stress”.
“The quality of the grapes, at the moment, is exceptional and a good production in quantitative terms is also expected. We are happily awaiting the sixth harvest of our Sangiovese at Caggio”.
The circle closes with Bertinga, a company in Gaiole in Chianti. Elisa Ascani, production manager of the winery that manages 20 hectares of organically managed Sangiovese and Merlot, comments:
“A season with very early budding, then the months of May and June were very rainy. In July the rains stopped completely and a heat wave began with high temperatures even at night, which still persists. Flowering and fruit set went well and we have a good quantity of grapes. Now we are waiting for some rain for the correct ripening.”
Grape harvesting on the Pisan Hills and in Val d’Orcia: the voice of Badia di Morrona and Tenuta di Trinoro
Badia di Morrona has over 110 hectares of vineyards at the foot of Terricciola, on the Pisan Hills. Here Filippo Gaslini Alberti confirms:
“Thanks to the rains in the winter months and early spring, the plants managed to produce a decent load of grapes. The veraison began at the end of July, slightly late. The great heat of the last 15 days was felt and some plants slowed down their development. However, a decent 2024 harvest is expected in terms of both quantity and quality”.
The vineyards of Tenuta di Trinoro extend to Sarteano, in Val d’Orcia. The winemaker Lorenzo Fornaini says:
“The year began with a mild winter and generous rainfall. The vines woke up early, however in April a return of winter led us to use anti-freeze fans which, compared to the old method of candles, allow us to be timely, reduce personnel, environmental impact and above all give the possibility of intervening for many consecutive nights. Spring then continued with cool and rainy May and June. A tropical July with temperatures up to 35 degrees, led the vines to consume the water reserves previously stored. On August 4, a hailstorm hit some areas of our vineyards, with a loss of around 20-30% of production, but the quality is there and we know from other experiences that our vines, now at a certain age, know how to react well. We are therefore confident for the 2024 harvest”.
How is the 2024 harvest going in Maremma Toscana?
We conclude the review of the progress of the 2024 harvest in Tuscany by returning to Maremma, after the overview offered by the Consortium in recent days.
Ettore Rizzi, technical director of Fattoria Le Pupille, states:
“The 2024 harvest looks very beautiful for us. The seasonal trend has been quite balanced, with decidedly abundant rainfall compared to the seasonal average, normal temperatures and beautiful temperature ranges until the first half of July. The second half of July was instead challenging due to high temperatures. The white varieties began to arrive in the cellar starting from August 12th. The red varieties are very beautiful today and we are monitoring them. Let’s see how the second half of the month will develop and we are crossing our fingers for a little rain that will extend the ripening and wash our precious grapes”.
Brando Baccheschi Berti, producer of Castello di Vicarello, in Maremma, talks about particular and favorable climatic conditions:
“The rains between the end of winter, the beginning of spring and then in June, had a positive impact: they not only replenished the aquifers, but also favored the development of the grapes that are growing in excellent shape. Now, the daytime temperatures are high but not excessive, and the nights are cool. This temperature range is having a positive effect on the quality of the grapes. An early 2024 harvest is expected and at the same time excellent grape quality”.
