Vineyards Magazine

Compact, expressive and full of promise

From South Tyrol to Sicily, the verdict on the 2025 harvest was consistent: a slightly early, compact vintage, handled by producers with perfect timing and great professionalism, bringing grapes of remarkable quality to the cellars.

The result is wines with a balanced profile and excellent prospects for the future. Quality prevailed over quantity.

Below are the statements from the producers:

Northern Italy

In Trentino-Alto Adige, the pace was intense from the very first days of harvest.

At Cantina Terlano and Cantina Andriano, the 2025 vintage was marked by a rapid harvest. The clusters reached full ripeness early, with excellent grape quality. The heatwave in early August accelerated ripening and, as Kellermeister Rudi Kofler notes, “gave us grapes with great concentration”. Harvest began on August 26, and the slightly unstable weather at the beginning of September did not affect grape quality.

Also at Cantina Kaltern, picking was compact and intense, starting on August 25. A few rain showers complicated logistics, but “once again, our members’ dedication demonstrated our efficiency,” says Thomas Scarizuola, Kellermeister. In the cellar, early tastings suggest expressive and well-structured wines, with Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, Schiava, and Lagrein standing out.

At San Leonardo, the harvest traditionally begins in late August or early September with Sauvignon Blanc and ends around October 10 with Carmenère. 2025 followed that pattern. “It was a distinctive year climatically, not excessively hot, but with abundant rainfall. The yield was modest, but the quality was excellent,” says Anselmo Guerrieri Gonzaga. “So far, the wines in the cellar show brilliant colours and intense aromas.”

In Franciacorta, Mosnel faced a challenging but rewarding year, beginning harvest on August 12 with Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero. By late September, the last variety, Erbamat, had reached the cellar. “All grapes were very healthy, ripe, and of exceptional quality,” says Giulio Barzanò. “In the cellar, our first impressions are excellent: the diversity of varietal expressions suggests a long-lived vintage.”

In Piedmont, on the Bussia hills of Barolo, Parusso also experienced high summer temperatures, followed by alternating warm and cool September days. On September 24, a drop to 10°C created ideal conditions for refining the aromas and tannin ripeness of Nebbiolo. Harvest ended in early October. “The grapes are ripe, healthy, smaller, and looser than usual, with a good sugar-acid balance. Everything points to an excellent vintage; in a few months, we’ll see how well we’ve captured it,” says Marco Parusso.

In Liguria, LVNAE began picking just after August 15 with grapes destined for its Metodo Classico sparkling wine. By late August, Vermentino was harvested, starting from the lower areas and gradually moving uphill. “We were able to work precisely and harvest each plot at optimal ripeness. The condition of the grapes was perfect: intact and of high quality,” says Diego Bosoni. A few rainy days caused brief interruptions, but the mild climate around Luni was once again favourable. “We believe this could be one of the most interesting vintages of the last four or five years,” he concludes.

Central Italy

In Chianti Classico, Castello di Querceto reported healthy, perfectly ripe grapes of high quality. “The yield,” notes Simone François, “was smaller, especially for Sangiovese, as the berries were not particularly large. We have the feeling this will rank among the best vintages of recent years.”

“It was a summer we haven’t seen in a long time,” says Emanuele Reolon, director of Isole e Olena. “The grapes ripened evenly and completely, promising an excellent vintage.”

At Bertinga, both Merlot and Sangiovese were harvested between late September and early October. “Low temperatures at the end of September were crucial for Sangiovese, ensuring perfect ripeness and health,” explains production manager Elisa Ascani.

At Castello di Fonterutoli and Ipsus, Giovanni Mazzei reports: “2025 was an ideal year with a classic climate reminiscent of the 1980s, something we hadn’t experienced for decades. We harvested perfect grapes with high acidity and low pH. We expect elegant, aromatic wines with crisp freshness and silky tannins. We’re very pleased.”

For Arillo in Terrabianca, the harvest concluded on October 10with great satisfaction. The Terrabianca vineyard in Radda in Chianti was, as usual, the last to be picked. The Sangiovese reached full ripeness, rich in aromas and ready to produce elegant, age-worthy wines.

In the Brunello area, Biondi-Santi’s director of viticulture and oenology Federico Radi notes that the 2025 harvest “shows all the key quality parameters. It is not a particularly high-alcohol vintage; on the contrary, the grapes show remarkable freshness, and excellent pH values – perfectly in line with what we want for a Biondi-Santi wine.” The summer was moderate, with only two to three weeks of intense heat that actually favoured vine growth. “We were under no pressure; the weather allowed for thoughtful decision-making,” Radi concludes.

At Giodo, harvest began in the second week of September. “The grapes showed crispness and elegance, suggesting great longevity for the Sangiovese,” says Bianca Ferrini. “It’s an important vintage: we are extremely satisfied with the work carried out throughout the year and confident that it will yield outstanding, age-worthy wines.”

In Maremma, at Fattoria Le Pupille, sun and heat in late August accelerated ripening, which then slowed with September rains. “It’s striking how harvest patterns have shifted – rainfall now plays a growing role, whereas before 2023 it usually came only in autumn,” observes winemaker Ettore Rizzi.  “The grape quality is very high: Sangiovese shows small but concentrated berries, resulting in slightly below-average yields but excellent balance and moderate alcohol.”

At Castello di Vicarello, yields were also lower than expected, but the wines show lively acidity, fine phenolic ripeness, and slightly lower concentration – resulting in lower alcohol content. “They’re more approachable wines, in line with today’s market preferences,” observes Brando Baccheschi Berti. “We expect good longevity and elegant, fresh and spicy aromas.”

In Val d’Orcia, at Tenuta di Trinoro, harvest began on September 8 with Semillon, followed by Merlot on the 18 – 20, just before a week of rain. “We started at dawn to pick as cool as possible, stopping by 10:30 a.m. when the sun became too strong,” recounts Benjamin Franchetti. The first Cabernet Franc grapes were brought to the cellar in early October, “starting from lower vineyards and moving uphill. We picked in true autumn weather, dry and breezy from the north wind, allowing us to wait for the perfect moment in each plot. We concluded on October 10 with Petit Verdot from the higher vineyards.

Southern Italy

In Sicily, Tasca d’Almerita reports a long, overlapping harvest across its five estates, spanning over ninety days. “A mosaic of harvests,” they explain, “that after the climatic extremes of past years, brings freshness, complexity, and balance.” The musts show vibrant acidity and full phenolic ripeness, producing authentic wines deeply rooted in their terroir. The season began under excellent conditions: generous winter rains and spring showers built precious water reserves even in the southernmost vineyards. Though the Sicilian summer was hot, significant day-night temperature swings – over 21°C in July at Tenuta Regaleali – preserved freshness, acidity, and aromatic complexity.

“The 2025 production is in line with expectations,” confirms Alberto Tasca d’Almerita. “The white musts show a harmonious sugar-acid balance with floral and fruity notes, while the red ones achieved full phenolic ripeness, excellent concentration, and structure. We’re now awaiting the final picking on Mount Etna, where harvest is still underway…”
In Apulia, Tenuta Liliana finishes the harvest with enthusiasm: “An excellent vintage, marked by pronounced acidity, moderate alcohol, and promising aromas: wines with a Mediterranean yet modern character,” says producer Antonio Intiglietta. The 2025 harvest brought ripe white grapes with outstanding acidity. The red harvest began on September 10 with perfect fruit that benefited from the month’s sharp temperature contrasts.