September brings with it the scent of ripe grapes, the rustling of the vineyards, and the anticipation of an ancient ritual: the grape harvest. The harvest is not just work in the fields but a celebration of the land, passion, and local culture.

Wine in history

Viticulture on the hills surrounding Lake Garda has very ancient roots, thanks to an ideal climate for growing vines. As early as 200 B.C., Cato the Censor praised the vinum Raeticum, produced in this area and enjoyed even at the tables of Roman emperors. In the Middle Ages, Christian monks passed down winemaking techniques, but it was only in the following centuries that wine production experienced a true renaissance, becoming one of the cultural and economic symbols of Garda.

Caring for the vine

The harvest is just the final step of a long process that lasts all year. It begins in winter with pruning to prepare the vine for the new growing cycle. In spring, the plants are cared for with specific operations to ensure healthy and vigorous growth. In July and August, thinning is done, removing up to 30% of the grape clusters so that the remaining ones ripen better, concentrating sugars and aromas. It is a delicate balance between human action and nature, where every choice can make the difference between good wine and excellent wine.

The moment of harvest

The peak of the vine year comes between late August and September, when the vineyards come alive with hands at work. Determining the perfect moment for the harvest requires experience and precision: sugar level and acidity in the grapes are monitored, seeking the exact point where quantity and quality meet. Many in our area still choose manual harvesting, a slower but valuable method for selecting the best clusters and preserving them from damage. This guarantees superior quality and a profound respect for the raw material. Watching this phase up close is a unique opportunity to understand how much work and passion go into every bottle of wine.

From vine to bottle

After the harvest, the grapes arrive at the winery. First, the berries are separated from the stems, then the fruit is crushed. The must obtained is placed in steel tanks for fermentation, where yeasts transform sugars into alcohol, giving the wine aromas and structure. After this phase, the wine is aged in wooden barrels for more complex wines or in steel tanks to maintain freshness and fruity aromas. Only at the end of this journey is the wine ready to be bottled and tasted.

Local varieties

Lake Garda has a rich biodiversity of grape varieties, both local and international. Among the leading ones are Bardolino, a light and fruity red to be enjoyed young, and Lugana, an elegant white with citrus and mineral notes. Garda Classico, with its complex aromas, embodies the essence of the morainic hills. Every sip tells the nuances of a territory spanning from the lake shores to the hilly areas, offering different wines but always connected by a single common thread: authenticity.

The harvest on Lake Garda is a ritual that unites history, passion, and tradition. Visiting the lake at this time means breathing in a living land where every bottle tells the landscape and culture. Join us in celebrating this special event; living this experience means discovering the soul of Garda… one sip at a time.