Frescobaldi - start of the 2021 harvest

The winter of 2020/2021 was marked by consistent rains, which supplied the aquifers well, without in any way compromising the winter pruning work , instead making all the green manure sown in the vineyards develop well, favoring biodiversity. Spring was late in arriving and temperatures, well below the seasonal average, caused a delay in bud break in all our estates.

Unfortunately, the night between 8 and 9 April we suffered a late frost which damaged the vineyards located in the lower areas, especially Sangiovese , which has an early bud break. Fortunately, the Sangiovese vineyards with the highest vocation in areas above 300 m asl were not affected by the late frost. Until June the temperatures remained well below the seasonal averages, especially with cold nights that made the foliar apparatus develop well and also lengthened the clusters. Flowering and fruit set went well thanks to the favorable weather conditions.

The summer was very hot, with high temperatures and the younger vineyards needed emergency irrigation; in fact, by now we are planting new vineyards only with an irrigation system to counteract the excesses of a climate in sure change. The rains of 28 August were fundamental for the final phase of ripening, they helped well the migration of all the aromatic and coloring substances from the leaves to the bunches.

The rainy events spread throughout Tuscany with regularity, letting the water enter the soil well, bringing relief to the vines experienced by a long period of heat and drought.

In Pomino in the week of August 23 began the collection of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay destined for the sparkling wine bases of Leonia , the bunches are perfectly ripe, despite having well maintained the acidity. The elevation of Pomino allows to have a progressive maturation but that does not "burn" the tartaric acid; therefore, it maintains the natural vivacity of the musts.

In Maremma in the Ammiraglia estate, thanks to irrigation, we have avoided any water stress that would have compromised the quality of the rosé and Vermentino , we will have to wait for the harvest in mid-September.

In Montalcino a great harvest is expected with small bunches and concentrated berries, certainly with a reduction in the production of Rosso di Montalcino .

In the Chianti Rufina in Nipozzano we are still far from the harvest, but today the vineyards have a perfect foliar system and an excellent production balance, a good rain in the next few days would certainly help the vines in this last period of ripening.

In Castiglioni the Sangiovese of the lower areas will certainly have a reduction in production due to the late frost, but the grapes present already have an intense color and good flavor, with soft tannins, leaving hope for an important quality.