Harvest Experience – With stomping

A “vendemmia” (Italian for grape harvest) is one of the most fascinating experiences you can enjoy in Tuscany during the harvest season. It is a wonderful way to learn a lot about the local wine & food traditions but also about the local culture.

Those who tried it report that the atmosphere in a working winery is something definitely unique! You can participate to a vendemmia on a charming wine estate and taste some excellent local wines served with lunch.

If you visit Tuscany right at the beginning of the harvesting season you may coincide with the grape stomping. This is a habit in one of our wineries in the very first day of the vendemmia to facilitate the fermentation of the grape juice. Hopefully you will coincide with it! 

Grapes & Vineyards – Ageing of the Grapes

Nothing is sadder for a farmer than to watch his grapes spoil on the vine – and though some wines call for grapes that have aged (on or off the vine) to produce the prized vin santo or other liqueur wines, the major part of the harvest is destined for a normal or reserve wine to be shared among friends.

The actual harvest requires very little in the way of tools: a sharp pair of garden shears or a small knife with a hooked point, a small to medium sized wicker basket, a few larger bins or large wooden poles, a customized grinder and of course, large stainless-steel vats.

Contrary to popular belief the picked grapes are no longer “stomped” – even if the image is folkloristic the truth is, it is not very hygienic. However, the large lunch and comradery that are also associated with these events is still very much in vogue! After a morning of harvesting, pummeling, pouring and turning there is sure to be an invitation to sit down to a table that overflows with the colors and flavors of the season!