Grape harvest time in Tuscany

Grape harvesting is hard physical work but the harvest can be fascinating for those who don't want to get their hands dirty. Here you’ll find some tips about various wine tastings and festivals that occur throughout Tuscany so you can enjoy the results of the grape harvest.

September and October are the months for the Tuscan vendemmia, the Italian word for the grape harvest. The exact date is decided year by year, depending on the weather, the quantity of rain fall and the changes from one vineyard to another. The most important thing is that grapes must have the right level of sweetness. The vendemmia isn’t just for local farmers. It's one of the most fascinating experiences you can enjoy in Tuscany. Tourists come from all over the world to take part since it's a wonderful way to learn something about local wine, food, local culture and to be part of a hundred-year-old tradition that includes an occasional free lunch.

Many people want to know if it's possible to participate in a grape harvest. Remember that in order to do this, you must be part of a wine tour or be the friend of a farmer! In fact, by law, only contracted and insured workers can work in the vineyards and fields. If you're lucky, wineries might let visitors pick a few grapes.

Do you really know what grape harvesting means? Since it's one of the most crucial steps in the process of winemaking, there are some rigorous steps. First of all, grape pickers arrive early in the morning to the vineyard. Second, they begin to cut bunches of grapes and put them into a crate or a basket. Then, someone collects the baskets with the grapes and brings them to the wine cellar in order to start the winemaking process, which involves lots of machinery. 

If you visit Tuscany from mid-September to October, you'll find local farms getting ready for the grape harvest and many hamlets preparing for wine and food festivals; every town seems to have one! An expression of the importance of wine culture in Tuscany lies in the fact that there are a lot of wine tastings and wine festivals here: almost like an Italian response to the famous German Oktoberfest.

The Grape Festival in Impruneta, for example, is one of the longest-running Italian festivals. During the celebration, the town’s four neighbourhoods challenge each other to make the best float. Renowned for its wine, Montecarlo hosts its Wine Festival every year, offering music, art exhibitions and wine tastings. During the first weekend in September, the historic centre of Pitigliano comes to life with thousands of people, music, shows and endless wine. There's much more to discover, here's our selection of wine festivals in Tuscany.

Original article by Serena Puosi