On the Tuscan coast it is already very hot at the beginning of summer. The vine flowers (not all of them, it depends on the way the season is going) give birth to the first fruit, tiny and hard light green balls that slowly become ever larger.

The vines grow vigorously, thanks to the sun and the water that has built up in the soil during the cooler seasons.

The shoots lengthen and produce a wall of leaves.

The winemaker must channel this energy, however, giving it a balance and pointing it towards the most important result – the production of high quality grapes. Various tasks are part of this role – cutting the tips (polling), removing some of the leaves, thinning out the bunches, feeding the plant …… these are all operations to be carried out by an expert hand, at the best moment and in the best way.

Towards the beginning or middle of August an important change comes about. Up until now the fruit has simply got bigger, but now it begins to change colour.

From green it turns towards violet or yellow. This is the “invaiatura” veraison or colour change, the early ripening, but even though the fruit takes on its colours it still needs several weeks before being truly ready for picking.

During ripening it is necessary to protect the grapes from the wild boar, and only fencing can resolve this problem. Meanwhile ever more frequent visits to the vineyard are made, observing and tasting the grapes, and collecting some for analyses. It’s a moment of great expectation. In the cellars everything is ready for the harvest, but it is necessary to wait for the right moment.

In the cellars the old wine continues its refinement, day by day building its structure and elegance. The youngest wines are bottled, but must still wait a few months before being sold.

In August the cellar is prepared for the harvest, which is already just around the corner – what is necessary is bought, the equipment is prepared, and its proper functioning checked.