The harvest of Pinot Grigio DOC Delle Venezie has begun with positive prospects. This north-eastern Italy appellation, unique in its breadth and interregional integration – in fact it encompasses the administrative territories of the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions and the Autonomous Province of Trento –, shows promising signs in both quality and quantity.
“We are thrilled to begin a harvest that sees our Consortium committed on multiple fronts: quality, innovation and sustainability”, said Luca Rigotti, President of the DOC Delle Venezie Consortium. “The 2025 production season marks an important moment, especially for the experimental activities launched for the production of low-alcohol Pinot Grigio. We strongly believe in this project, which aims to ensure a sustainable future for the sector by responding to the changing preferences of increasingly informed consumers who are attentive to a healthy lifestyle, starting with lighter, lower-calorie wines. This is an innovative and strategic path, perfectly aligned with our commitment to the partnership with Wine in Moderation launched last year – continued President Rigotti, and concluded – We are sure that innovation is the key to enhancing our denomination and successfully addressing emerging market challenges”.
Quantitative estimates show a slight increase compared to the last two, more moderate vintages, while the stable weather forecast for the coming days should favor a successful completion of the harvest, which has already begun in some areas slightly earlier compared to 2024.
With regard to the different wine-growing areas, the Assoenologi Presidents (the Italian association of oenologists and winemakers) of the regional offices within the DOC Delle Venezie production area have provided more detailed assessments.
DOC Delle Venezie: The Pinot Grigio harvest has begun in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Trentino and Veneto
In Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Matteo Lovo, regional Assoenologi President, states: “2025 is one of the best seasons in recent years in terms of phytosanitary conditions: disease pressure was very limited and easily manageable, thanks to a favorable alternation of rain and dry periods. July’s temperature swings further enhanced grape quality. Hail damage was recorded in only a few limited areas, but these were limited cases. The harvest began at the end of last week, and is usually completed in about ten days. Expectations are very good: quality will improve compared to 2024 and production will increase by an estimated 5 to 10%. As for low-alcohol winemaking, our region is already moving in this direction: in some areas, lower alcohol levels will be naturaly reached, also thanks to the early harvest”.
From Trentino, Furio Battelini, new regional Assoenologi President, comments: “The mild and humid winter brought forward the growing season, without any late frosts, and regular rainfall in spring favored the development of good foliage, limiting downy mildew and powdery mildew. The rainfall in late July/early August raised some concerns about botrytis on the compact bunches, but the recent warm weather has stabilized the situation: the health of the grapes is now significantly improving. The ripening samples show rapidly increasing sugars and a good acid content, especially malic acid, thanks to the temperature variations. The harvest has begun in these days, with the first batches destined for low alcohol content, and will continue until mid-September. Quantitatively, it is expected to be just over 5% higher than in 2024, although still below the historical average; qualitatively, peaks of excellence are expected. Finally, we can say that our region is leading the way in the vinification of low-alcohol Pinot Grigio, not only under the DOC Delle Venezie umbrella.”
Finally, in Veneto, the growing season showed an overall steady trend, with a favorable progression that ensured good health conditions for the vineyards and grapes. Specifically, from east to west of the region, the climate trend allowed for balanced vegetative growth. “In Eastern Veneto – explains Michele Zanardo, local Assoenologi President – after a slightly early bud break, spring conditions and rainfall favored regular vegetative growth; plant protection was effective. Harvest has begun during the last week of August. Quantities are expected to be on average, with quality in line with the norm”. Alberto Marchisio, President of Western Veneto Assoenologi, adds: “The season has been positive also in our area, with grapes in good health. The last few weeks have seen an acceleration in the ripening stages, more rapid than last year. Harvest began last week and is expected to conclude around mid-September, especially in the hilly areas. Quality and quantity are maintaining the same levels as recent years, with improved polyphenol ripening”.
Regarding production management measures, the actions requested by the DOC Delle Venezie Consortium have been approved for the 2025 harvest season, particularly regarding the reduction in the maximum yield (from 180 to 170 quintals of grapes/hectare) and the storage limit of 20 quintals/hectare, with the aim of ensuring market balance and more effective regulation of production potential and value. “With the extension of the suspension of Pinot Grigio vineyard registration in the viticulture register for the purposes of eligibility for the DOC Delle Venezie label and the provisions that allow for the reclassification of Pinot Grigio volumes arriving by April 30, 2026, we have completed the production management process for this harvest season – comments Stefano Sequino, Director of the DOC Delle Venezie Protection Consortium – The Consortium’s goal, especially in the current complex geopolitical and economic climate, is to monitor the performance of the Pinot Grigio DOC Delle Venezie to maintain stability between supply and demand, a factor that represents great value for foreign markets and, despite the variables affecting internationally, to promote a balanced growth of the denomination”.
