Italy is a country with a rich winemaking heritage, where every corner is imbued with the flavour of vineyards and history.
Vendemmia is a special period of winemaking, when the ripe grapes are harvested to create exquisite and noble drinks. Travelling along the wine roads of Italy during Vendemmia will immerse you in the unique atmosphere of the harvest season and allow you to immerse yourself in the world of Italian winemaking.
Italy is famous for the diversity of its wine regions, each with its own unique characteristics and traditions of wine production.
Vendemmia is not just a harvest time, it is a real celebration for all those involved in the wine industry. To take part in the grape harvest at an Italian winery is to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of labour and joy, to see the process of wine making from the inside. You will feel part of this ancient tradition and learn the secrets of vineyard care.
After the harvest, you will be treated to a real food and wine festival. Tasting local wines, cheeses, olive oil, prosciutto – you will be able to enjoy the diversity of Italian gastronomy. Experienced sommeliers and winemakers will tell you about the subtleties of tasting, wine and food pairing, peculiarities of wine production and storage.
The journey along the wine roads of Italy includes visits to wineries, where you can see all stages of wine production – from harvesting to bottling. You’ll also delve into the history of local estates.
Autumn in Italy is harvest time: the grape harvest.
Vendemmia, a festive but exhausting activity, used to take place on hot and humid days. Today, grape picking is much more straightforward. In the old days, grapes grew at the top of the vines – you had to climb a stepladder to reach them; the grapes were put into wicker baskets suspended on hooks from the branches of the vines. The baskets with grapes had to be carried to the pots, which were placed on the highest point of the vineyard, next to an ox-drawn cart, which then went to the cellar. Now the tractor passes between the rows of vines – and the grape pickers throw the bunches of grapes directly into the containers loaded on the tractor.
Grapes of especially valuable varieties, for example, for vin santo, were picked only at certain hours, avoiding the heat of the afternoon. In fact, an extra two or three days in the sun can make a huge difference to the wine you end up with.
Vendemmia is usually held between October and November.
After the harvest, you can stay for lunch or dinner, or simply taste the estate’s wines from previous years with light snacks.
A picnic can also be organised at the winery if the weather is good.
After the harvest, you can stay for lunch or dinner, or simply taste the estate’s wines from previous years with light snacks.
