Vintage Reports

Ampelio Bucci of BUCCI

It was truly a very strange growth cycle for our vineyards, because this summer has lasted up to even today, October 23, when our vines are still completely green. We should have yellowed leaves, ready for winter sleep.

The harvest, contrary to all predictions, went very well. We were saved from the terrible attacks of Peronospora. There are two factors that helped us: the first is the crucial hard work of my team, led by Gabriele, whose numerous interventions in the vineyard worked, even if only for a short time, requiring several treatments. The other important factor is that our vineyards are far from other vineyards. I planted our 7 vineyards far from each other but also far from other people’s vineyards and this is very important as is the fact that we let spontaneous hedges grow around the vineyards, to defend against possible transmigrations of pathogens from one vineyard to another. We also cleaned any rotted wood on our vines (dendrosurgery) and pruned each vine, leaving a bit more than in previous years, which were perhaps reduced a little too much. The vines reacted very well and in fact we have a Verdicchio harvest 8-10% greater than last year and, interestingly it seems to have an alcohol content closer to 13% instead of 13.5% we’ve had over the last 10 years.

Now the wines have finished fermenting and are aging on their lees, which will continue to “animate” them over the winter months.

All in all, we saw excellent healthy grapes with good balance between the various components. What do we think about the future? We are going to continue our work in caring for individual vines, one by one, with our passionate team, which has a one-of-a-kind green thumb when it comes to vines.

Angela Bortoluzzi of BORTOLUZZI

The 2023 vintage was one of the most difficult, because of the variety of problems we had to face. The pressure on the health of the grapes was undoubtedly important, but those of us who acted quickly and carefully saw very little damage.

The weather was very similar to 1985 in our region – lots of rain, high day/night temperature swings and lower than normal temperatures.

The day/night temperature swings were some of the highest registered in 39 years, with average temperatures that weren’t too high, guaranteeing the potential of the aromatic profile and longevity of the wines.

All in all, 2023 has a medium-high to high quality potential, with about 10% less in quantity.

Elisa Marchetti of MARCARINI

The 2023 vintage began as did 2022 –right up until May and June when we saw more than 300 mm of rain, which guaranteed perfect budbreak and fruit set.

Good vineyard management ensured the grapes’ health; now that harvest is over, we can say we were successful.

Summer was hot and dry, allowing the grapes to develop correctly.  Veraison began about 10 August. Once again, the rain in late August allowed for excellent ripening, especially Nebbiolo.

This year it was so important to talk to producers because the weather, drought conditions, disease and other damage varied from zone to zone. Our two cru vineyards, Brunate and La Serra, also thanks to our work, saw ideal conditions for the making of excellent wine.

We at Marcarini are thrilled with 2023, whose quality we’ve already seen with the first rackings. We can’t wait for you to taste these wines!

Walter Lodali of CANTINA LODALI

Harvest began in late August with Chardonnay and Moscato and eneded 8 October with Barbaresco and Barolo. The Barbaresco growing zone saw some hail in early July, but fortunately, it was not terrible for our vineyards. After that, the temps were very hot and dry from until harvest. Quantities and quality are very good.

The Barolo growing zone is seeing excellent quality and quantities – it will be an exceptional vintage.

Beatrice Gaudio of GAUDIO BRICCO MONDALINO

The 2023 vintage can only be defined as “difficult” for many reasons. The first being how climate change is damaging agriculture in every form.

There was a lot of rain in May and June, which led to difficulties fighting disease.  But a hailstorm in late July damaged about 70% of our vineyards, leading to a 40% decrease in production. To add insult to injury, it rained a lot in mid-September, right in the middle of harvest. Thus it was a long, not very productive and therefore very expensive harvest that in spite of all this, left us with good quality grapes. The fruit that remained after the hail was perfect, ideal. The wines will be refined, delicate, with alcohol we haven’t seen in 15 years.