THE 2026 HARVEST HAS CONCLUDED

THE 2026 HARVEST HAS CONCLUDED

THE EARLIEST HARVEST ON RECORD, MARKED BY INTENSE HEAT, TWO DAYS OF RED LEVEL WEATHER ALERTS, EXCEPTIONALLY GREEN VINEYARDS AND STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL GRAPES- WRAPPED UP ON SEPTEMBER 28TH

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, Wine Destination

 

The 2026 harvest may well be the first of the new “tropical era,” characterized by heat and rainfall throughout the summer.

 

GRAPE HARVEST BEGINS EARLY AMID SCORCHING HEAT

During the initial days of the red grape harvest at Fattoria del Colle (in the Orcia DOC appellation)—from September 3rd to 9th—the heat severely tested both the pickers and the vat cooling systems, with temperatures peaking at 36°C for four consecutive days. Then, on September 10th, autumn arrived: 44 mm of rain fell, and the daily high temperature dropped from 33°C to 23°C. This brought a sigh of relief to the cellar staff, who had been struggling to maintain fermentation temperatures for the white wines by using unprecedented amounts of dry ice. The red wines fermented at higher-than-usual temperatures, but nothing more could be done.

In nearby Sinalunga, a tornado tore the roofs off houses, destroyed sports facilities, and killed a woman.

 

GRAPE HARVES BEGINS IN MONTALCINO ON SEPTEMBER 14^TH

At our Casato Prime Donne vineyards in Montalcino, the harvest of Brunello grapes began on September 14th—almost in line with the usual schedule. We were among the last to start. The vineyards surround the winery on the cooler northern slope of Montalcino, situated on “cold” soils—meaning clay-rich ground that does not retain heat after sunset. While this was a problem 30 years ago, it is now an advantage, allowing us to wait for the right moment.

The grape clusters are picture-perfect: small, with tiny berries that are entirely healthy and highly pliable—the stems are so supple that the clusters bend when held in the hand. Ripening is perfect and remarkably uniform.

 

 

“VINEYARD FIRST” PROJECT AT FATTORIA DEL COLLE AND CASATO PRIME DONNE

The “Vineyard First” project entails harvesting all the grapes on the very first day they reach full maturity. This was only partially achieved at Fattoria del Colle, where the ripening of the pulp (enological maturity) and the skins (polyphenolic maturity) was uneven, requiring a compromise regarding harvest dates. Only the grapes harvested for last (September 7–8) from the Cenerentola, Poggione, and Ristorante vineyards were truly exceptional.

At Casato Prime Donne, however, conditions were far more favourable. Here, too, the usual harvest sequence was inverted for the 2026 vintage, with the premium Ardita vineyard left for last.

Harvesting began on September 14, coinciding with the arrival of Valérie Lavigne. There were two days of entirely manual picking, with midday temperatures climbing to 30°C. Harvesting continued until Thursday, September 17, followed by a pause until the 21^st before resuming work on the top vineyards through September 24. “This year, we can and must aim for the absolute best from the Ardita vineyard.” The final stage took place at Fattoria del Colle, where the Foglia Tonda grapes were harvested on September 28.

For the 2026 Brunello, we are ordering only 5- and 7-hectolitre tonneaux, almost all of which are fire-bent using a flameless technique.