Sondraia

Climate Trend

The 2017 climatic conditions in Bolgheri reflect a changing global environment. Winter continued with good weather and slightly cooler temperatures than average, which protected against the proliferation of insects harmful to the vine. In the spring there was an early start to budding and fortunately, the spring frosts, which affected various Italian regions, did not impact the vegetation. Summer was sunny and breezy. Early July was characterised by relatively high humidity for the coastal area. The first heavy rainfall came in mid-September, but the days that followed were warm and bright. The prolonged drought helped us to fight against fungal and parasitic diseases. Irrigation management was complex and coordinated with the help of weather huts, equipped with sensors which detect soil humidity and evapotranspiration. But the human eye is forever irreplaceable: visual and manual inspection of leaf and grape turgidity indicated the best moment to provide the right amount of water, allowing us to keep the grapes firm and fresh, and maintain the protection of leaves with their chlorophyllin function.