Wine begins long before the harvest
When talking about wine, we often think of the harvest as the most important moment in the production cycle: the day the grapes are picked and begin their journey to wine.
In reality, the quality of a wine is built much earlier.
It is created throughout the year, through the relationship between the vineyard, the environment, and human labor.
A journey that begins in winter
The life of the vine follows a natural cycle that begins well before the grapes ripen.
During winter, the plant enters a vegetative rest period. This is the time for pruning, a crucial decision because it determines the future balance of the plant and its productive potential.
Spring brings the vegetative awakening: buds, leaves, and inflorescences mark the beginning of a new vintage.
Each phase brings with it important decisions and contributes to defining the final result.
The Growing Season and the Search for Balance
During the spring and summer months, the vine develops its foliage and accompanies the ripening of the grapes.
The goal is not to obtain the maximum possible quantity of grapes, but to achieve the right balance between:
- vegetation and production;
- ripening and freshness;
- concentration and finesse.
It is precisely this balance that allows us to produce wines capable of expressing the character of the terroir.
The Role of Etna
On a terroir like Etna, the growing cycle is influenced by many variables: altitude, exposure, volcanic soils, and climatic conditions.
The differences between vineyards and districts contribute to different nuances, but the principle remains the same: the wine takes shape in the vineyard.
Before the harvest, there are months of choices
The harvest represents the moment when the fruit of a long journey is gathered.
Before that moment, there are months of observation, targeted interventions, and attention to the vine’s signals.
This is why a great wine doesn’t begin in the cellar.
It begins much earlier, in the vineyard, season after season.
We will continue to share the evolution of the 2026 vintage and the ones to come.