2021 COLLECTION
January
Capricorn dominates until January 19, then Aquarius opens the doors to new air. The sun is shy: on January 1, it rises at 7:36 a.m. and sets at 4:46 p.m.; on January 31, sunrise is at 7:20 a.m. and sunset at 5:20 p.m. The new moon on January 13 at 6:00 a.m. marks a moment of renewal, while the full moon on January 28 at 8:16 p.m. brings clarity.
Temperatures reach -5°C on the clearest nights and often exceed 10°C, with a high of 17.5°C on January 30. On January 23, an icy wind from the northeast sweeps across the rows with gusts of up to 54 km/h, bending the dry reeds in the ditches and making the wires vibrate like the strings of a lyre.
In the undergrowth of the vineyard, all is quiet as the wild violets prepare themselves in silence. Among the vines, weaver spiders and ladybugs take refuge in the knots of the wood, waiting for the return of warmth.
February
Aquarius reigns until February 18, then Pisces brings with it the element of water. On February 1, the sun rises at 7:10 a.m. and sets at 5:40 p.m.
Temperatures remain between -7.5°C and 19.8°C, with foggy days and intermittent rain, but none in the last ten days of the month. We take advantage of this to begin pruning, shaping the vines appropriately, without pressure and without haste.
March
Pisces gives way to Aries on March 20, the day of the spring equinox at 4:06 a.m. (Italian time). On March 1, the sun rises at 6:28 a.m. and sets at 6:12 p.m.; the full moon on March 28 at 8:48 p.m. illuminates our thoughts like a beacon.
Temperatures rise. We are now between -3.7°C and 20.8°C, and the vineyard begins to stir. On March 13, a warm wind from the southeast brings a sudden surge in temperature, with highs of 19.1°C, anticipating the vegetative awakening that will consolidate at the end of the month.
Among the rows, the first flowers color the ground, and honeybees return to buzzing. Goldfinches sing among the branches, and green woodpeckers drum on the trunks. Ladybugs emerge in search of aphids.
April
The month begins under the sign of Aries, which gives way to Taurus on April 19. On April 1, the sun rises at 6:45 a.m. and sets at 7:42 p.m.; on April 30, sunrise is at 5:55 a.m. and sunset at 8:15 p.m. The new moon appears on April 12 at 2:30 a.m., while the full moon illuminates the rows on April 27 at 3:31 a.m.
Temperatures are mild, but on April 7, we reach -3.3°C again, while the highs approach 25°C from the first day of the month, and the vineyard awakens fully. Fortunately, there are no frosts despite the sudden changes in temperature. Rainy and sunny days alternate, but the sun soon returns to dominate. The south-east exposure favors a regular rise in sap, and the vines are dressed in soft green.
Among the rows, borage, wild chamomile, poppies, cornflowers, and wild orchids explode into bloom. Honeybees buzz tirelessly, while vanessa and lycaenid butterflies dance in the air. Bee-eaters, back from Africa, color the sky with their acrobatic flights, and swifts begin to cut through the air with their shrill calls. The vineyard, untreated with chemicals, is a living mosaic of shapes and frequencies.
May
Taurus reigns until May 20, then Gemini brings lightness and movement. On May 1, the sun rises at 5:54 a.m. and sets at 8:17 p.m.; on May 31, sunrise is at 5:25 a.m. and sunset at 8:45 p.m. The new moon occurs on May 11 at 6:59 p.m., and the full moon on May 26 at 11:13 a.m., in a partial lunar eclipse that is also visible in Italy.
Temperatures rise between 11°C and 25°C, but there are still low peaks of 4.7°C on May 20, while the maximum temperatures reach 27°C four times. Bright days and well-distributed rainfall favor the blooms that are now arriving. On May 17, a cold front brings a sharp drop in temperature and gusts of wind up to 60 km/h, but without damage. The vines enter their active growth phase: the shoots lengthen at an impressive rate. If you stop to observe them for an hour, you can perceive their movement.
In the undergrowth, wild aromatic herbs such as wild oregano, mint, and fennel perfume the air. Goldfinches feed on the seeds of composite flowers, while among the leaves, praying mantises, green bugs, solitary wasps, and hoverflies move about in a natural balance that regulates biodiversity. Our decision not to treat the vineyard in any way has proven to be a virtuous one.
June
The month begins under the sign of Gemini, which gives way to Cancer on June 21, the day of the summer solstice, which occurs at 5:32 a.m. On June 1, the sun rises at 5:24 a.m. and sets at 8:46 p.m.; on June 30, sunrise is at 5:27 a.m. and sunset at 8:49 p.m. The new moon occurs on June 10 at 10:52 a.m., and the full moon on June 24 at 6:39 p.m., St. John’s Day. Needless to say, dew takes on a very important role.
Temperatures stabilize between 61°F and 86°F, with warm, stable days. At the beginning of the month, we once again reach 37°F with wind gusts of 29 mph. On June 21, a heat wave brings the maximum temperature to 36.3°C, accompanied by a warm wind from the southeast. The vineyard, exposed to the morning light, receives pure energy, and the vines soar upward with geometric grace.
Between the rows, clover, wild marigold, and campion flowers color the ground. Bees are everywhere, along with paper wasps, hoverflies, swallowtail butterflies, and cabbage butterflies. Swifts and bee-eaters dominate the sky, while the vineyard, free from chemical treatments, is a living laboratory. The wheat is now golden yellow and provides the perfect backdrop to the vineyard.
July
Cancer reigns until July 22, then Leo takes over. On July 1, the sun rises at 5:28 a.m. and sets at 8:49 p.m.; on July 31, sunrise is at 5:52 a.m. and sunset at 8:29 p.m. The new moon occurs on July 10 at 1:16 a.m., and the full moon on July 24 at 2:36 a.m.
Temperatures remain between 64°F and 88°F, with hot days and cool nights thanks to the altitude of 784 feet above sea level. On July 17, a summer storm with lightning and heavy rain interrupts the drought, refreshing the leaves and washing the dust from the bunches.
In the undergrowth, helichrysum, mint, wild fennel, and verbena perfume the air. Goldfinches and serins feed on ripe seeds, while cicadas begin their hypnotic song, marking the hours like a natural metronome. Among the leaves, green bugs, black ants, jumping spiders, and shiny beetles move about in a balance that reflects the Pythagorean harmony of the cosmos. The flight of two buzzards dominates the sky above us and reassures us about possible attacks by starlings.
August
The month begins under the sign of Leo, which gives way to Virgo on August 22. On August 1, the sun rises at 5:53 a.m. and sets at 8:28 p.m.; on August 31, sunrise is at 6:25 a.m. and sunset at 7:45 p.m. The new moon occurs on August 8 at 1:49 p.m., and the full moon on August 22 at 12:01 p.m.
Temperatures remain high, between 66°F and 93°F, with scorching days and nights that are beginning to cool down. Temperature ranges exceed 25°C. On August 16, a heat wave brings highs to 39°C, while on August 30, lows drop again to 46°F.
The vineyard, in full veraison, is colored with shades of purple. Among the rows, wild amaranth, purslane, wild chicory, and viper’s grass resist the scorching sun. Cicadas sing incessantly, while lizards bask on the stones. Lesser kestrels circle in search of prey, and swifts, ready to migrate, gather in flocks. Wasps, attracted by the sweetness of the grapes, begin to make their presence felt. They are our friends and therefore deserve their share for the work they do against aphids.
September
The sign of Virgo dominates until September 22, when the Autumn Equinox (at 2:43 p.m.) introduces Libra and the balance between light and dark. On September 1, the sun rises at 6:26 a.m. and sets at 7:43 p.m.; on September 30, sunrise is at 6:58 a.m. and sunset at 6:50 p.m. The new moon occurs on September 7 at 12:51 a.m., and the full moon on September 20 at 11:54 p.m.
Temperatures become milder, averaging between 14°C and 28°C, with temperature variations that favor the ripening of the grapes. On September 24, a cold front brings a drop in the minimum temperature to 8.9°C, ideal for maintaining the acidity in the grapes.
Among the rows of vines, mint, catnip, plantain, and wild oregano perfume the air. The bunches are full, taut, and ready for harvest. Hedgehogs and lizards roam among the dry grasses. The presence of wasps increases significantly. In the cellar, the first musts are resting.
October
The month begins under the sign of Libra, which gives way to Scorpio on October 23. On October 1, the sun rises at 6:59 a.m. and sets at 6:48 p.m.; on October 31, sunrise is at 6:34 a.m. and sunset at 5:00 p.m. The new moon occurs on October 6 at 11:05 a.m., and the full moon on October 20 at 2:57 p.m.
Temperatures become cooler, with averages of 59°F. Eleven days of rain.
Among the rows of vines, the last flowers resist the decline of light. The bees slow down, and hoverflies rest on the flowers as if meditating. Blackbirds wander among the fallen leaves. Adult praying mantises move solemnly among the branches, while spiders weave perfect geometries between the poles.
November
The sign of Scorpio dominates until November 22, then Sagittarius opens the doors to winter. On November 1, the sun rises at 6:35 a.m. and sets at 4:58 p.m.; on November 30, sunrise is at 7:10 a.m. and sunset at 4:33 p.m. The new moon occurs on November 4 at 9:14 p.m., and the full moon on November 19 at 8:57 a.m., in a partial eclipse that is also visible in Italy.
Temperatures drop to an average of 10°C, with lows already reaching 1.8°C. The days are humid, with persistent fog and regular rain, including 19 days with hailstorms. We are safe now.
The earth retreats. The grass dries up, the flowers disappear, but beneath the surface, life prepares itself. Robins and finches become more numerous. Among the fallen leaves, beetles, earthworms, ants, and larvae work silently, decomposing, transforming, regenerating.
The vineyard, bare but alive, enters its sacred time of rest. The time of nature continues to operate, waiting for the next cycle.
December
In the heart of winter, under the sign of Sagittarius until December 21, when Capricorn takes the helm, the earth retreats into silence. The winter solstice arrives on December 21 at 11:02 a.m., bringing with it the longest night of the year. On December 1, the sun rises at 7:20 a.m. and sets at 4:33 p.m.; on December 31, sunrise is at 7:35 a.m. and sunset at 4:45 p.m.
Temperatures range between 32°F and 61°F, and the full moon on December 19 at 4:35 a.m. illuminates the rows like a cosmic beacon. Rainfall is light but frequent. The vineyard, facing southeast, receives the first light of day like a divine greeting, while its altitude between 201 and 240 m protects it from the most severe frosts.
Among the damp clods, the first rosettes of wild mustard and mallow make their way through, while chicory resists with its serrated leaves. Robins, the discreet guardians of winter, hop between the posts, and the call of thrushes can be heard in the skies. Among the bark and dry leaves, ground beetles and ladybird larvae hide, waiting for spring.