“Vendemmia” in Italian means “grape harvest” – that magical time of year when we begin the process of turning grapes to wine. It’s not nearly as simple as it might seem and even the most basic process of how becomes a difficult decision. Collecting grapes by hand, a costly but frequently used process, ensures only the ripest and healthiest grapes for are selected. Though cost effective, a mechanical machine is less able to distinguish between the best grapes for picking and those that are better left on the vine.

For tourists to Italy, the harvest can be a marvelous time to visit. Foodies who enjoy tastings and experiencing new flavors, a trip to Barone Pizzini Winery is an incredible treat as they are able to witness the birth of the wines, truly from the very beginning.

Many factors can influence the harvest and its final product. For example, the President of the Franciacorta Consortium and manager of Barone Pizzini Silvano Brescianini shared that the number of grape bunches and weights would be lower this year because of a sharp drop in nighttime temperatures during the flowering phrase. The grapes themselves are only picked at certain times of the day and even the smallest-seeming details can have a noticeable impact on the flavors of the wine – cooler temperatures lead to a more appealing acidic balance in the final product.

If you are interested in traveling to Franciacorta, consider a visit during the harvest time –  it’s a unique, unforgettable experience to witness and possibly even participate in the creation of wine.

Ecological wines have gotten a bad rap for a long time. They’re part of what’s seen as a hippie movement, sometimes including a move to screw-top bottles (the horror!) and boxed wine. It’s no surprise that the wine world is in a tizzy over ecological wines as the next frontier in winemaking. The world of food is experiencing a similar upheaval; a recent return to “natural” processes away from highly processed food products has forced manufacturers to reconsider everything from their product offerings to advertising schemes.

The contradiction that we face as a society is apparent from the get-go. Dave McIntyre, of The Washington Post recently pointed out that we are delighted to purchase a tomato from the back of a pick-up truck at a farmer’s market but reluctant to look at organic wines for sale just one truck over. The image of Lucille Ball stomping on grapes in that memorable episode of “I Love Lucy” seems to dominate the public perception of how eco wines are made – in someone’s backyard where too many pairs of less-than-clean feet stomp the grapes into wine.

But in actuality we find that these eco wines do beautifully in blind tests with wine critics. While the processes covered by the “organic” wine certification are still in flux in the U.S., the reviewers used generally more positive words to describe the wines and the author noted that he himself found many of the eco wines more lively in taste.  Classifying a wine as organic is an expensive process as well, he points out, and that means that some of their products can get lost in the mix.

A winery like Barone Pizzini in Franciacorta takes specific measures to ensure that its wines are certified as organic and as the winery has grown, so has its influence on the wine industry. While some may still confuse eco labels with hippie tastes, the sophistication and liveliness of a sip of Barone Pizzini’s star products is enough to make everyone reconsider their previous assumptions. Grown on  47 hectares of carefully cultivated land, each of Barone Pizzini’s wines feature their own unique blend of traits and characteristics.

Every year in September, the Franciacorta Festival brings a dynamic weekend of must-do activities to locals and visitors alike.

This year’s festival will come the weekend of September 17th and 18th. Guests may choose to spend the weekend relaxing, sipping wonderful local sparkling wines and enjoying the local scenery and hospitality!

Barone Pizzini joins the Franciacorta Festival and celebrates biodiversity with a special tour of the winery and vineyards. The guided visit includes:

• Walk in the vineyard with an expert of wild herbs
• Guided tour of the cellar
• Tasting of three Franciacorta paired with a degustation menu made with wild herbs

The cost of the special tour is €29 and reservation is required.

Nearby wineries offer tours and comprehensive tastings of their offerings. For those who wish to stay in town, the streets will be full of tasty street food options and famous chefs will be preparing dinners to celebrate the festival. Art and musical performances will be front and center and children are included as well with hiking and cycling options.

The location in Franciacorta is perfect for a quick weekend trip from Milan, Florence or even further cities like Rome, and the local vineyards are ideal spots when considering both quick overnight trips and longer says. Franciacorta is not only a place for a weekend getaway but even planning family events like a wedding or family reunion in the area- a beautiful natural backdrop to a memorable visit for everyone.

Who knows- the beautiful scenery, the extraordinary sites to visit and of course, the delicious wines, an annual trip to Franciacorta for the Festival might become a tradition for your family and friends!