The history of the harvest, an ancient ritual that celebrates wine

​​There is a special moment, almost a sort of celebration, linked to the wine sector that dates back to ancient times: we are talking about the harvest. It is not just a crucial agricultural practice in the wine production process, but also a true ritual with deep roots in the history and culture of our lands. For millennia, especially the hills of Tuscany have come alive during this season with colors, scents, and ancient gestures passed down from generation to generation.

Let’s discover the history of the harvest, the secrets it holds, and the charm it still exerts today, between new challenges and opportunities.

History of the harvest, when it all began

To find the historical origins of the harvest, we must go back more than ten thousand years, to the Fertile Crescent, where grape harvesting was part of religious ceremonies to thank the gods. In Italy, however, it was the Etruscans who began cultivating the vine, a knowledge that the Romans perfected by developing advanced techniques for wine production and preservation, such as the use of barrels and amphorae.
Not by chance, in ancient Rome, August 19th was celebrated as the Vinalia Rustica, a festival in honor of Jupiter that marked the beginning of the harvest. The grape clusters were manually harvested using sharp tools, then placed in containers and finally poured into lacus vinaria, large vats where the grapes were crushed by barefoot stomping. But beware, because the harvest was not just work: during these days, all other activities stopped to make room for a collective ritual that combined labor, celebration, and conviviality.

Why is it called the harvest?

The word ‘harvest’ comes from the Latin vindemia, composed of vinum (wine) and demere (to gather). Even the etymology reveals the deep connection between the act of gathering the grapes and their transformation into wine. But the harvest is not just a simple collection: it is the final act of a year of work and care, the moment when the land gives back the fruit of the attention it has received, celebrating the union between nature and human knowledge.

How was the harvest done?

Once, the harvest was a community event. Families, together with neighbors, would gather in the vineyards to pick the grapes: it was a long and quite exhausting task, but it was also a time of celebration, with songs, stories, and shared feasts among the vines. After the harvest, the grapes were crushed, often barefoot in large vats, a symbolic gesture marking the beginning of the transformation of the grapes into wine. In many areas of Italy, the harvest period was regulated by specific rules set by local authorities, as a testimony to its social and economic importance.​​​​

When does the harvest begin?

There is no exact moment when the harvest begins, as it varies depending on the climate, the region, and the type of grape. September is traditionally considered the prime month for the harvest, but in reality, it can start as early as the beginning of August for Pinot and some sparkling wines, or extend into late October—and even into November for certain dessert wines like passiti. In recent years, climate change has also had a major impact on the harvest, with long periods of severe drought or extreme rainfall putting winemakers across Italy to the test, as seen during the 2024 ​harvest.

How many types of harvest are there?

It’s important to note that not all harvests are the same. There are two main types, which differ based on the method of collection and the final goal. Let’s take a look at them:

• Manual harvest: once the only method, today it is used mainly in high-quality vineyards, as it is a very slow and costly process. The great advantage of this type of harvest is that it allows for the selection of grape clusters one by one, discarding those damaged by weather or pests and ensuring the highest quality. This method requires very careful planning: when the grapes reach the ideal level of ripeness, a team of harvesters is mobilized.

• Mechanical harvest: this is the most commonly used method today, especially for large-scale production. This process involves advanced machinery—harvesters—that now not only speed up the process and reduce costs but also help preserve the integrity and quality of the grapes.

​Each method reflects a different approach to production, but all share the goal of enhancing the characteristics of the grapes and the land. Depending on the course of the year, the climate, and the production style, it is also possible to distinguish between:

• ​Early harvest, which takes place before the usual period, often in very warm years when the grapes reach ripeness earlier than expected. This method may also be chosen to obtain grapes with a fresher aromatic profile and higher acidity levels.

• Late harvest, on the other hand, as the name suggests, occurs after the traditional grape picking period, allowing the grapes to remain on the vine longer for full ripeness. In some cases—such as the production of sweet wines—a slight drying of the clusters is encouraged, which concentrates the sugars and adds aromatic complexity to the wine.

• Staggered harvest refers to the practice of harvesting grapes in multiple stages within the same vineyard, to ensure that each cluster is picked at its ideal level of ripeness.

A ritual that blends tradition and innovation: the harvest at Fattoria del Cerro

Today, at the wine estates of Tenute del Cerro, such as Fattoria del Cerro, the harvest still retains the charm of an ancient ritual, but it is also enriched by technological innovation—a synergy that allows each vintage to be approached with care and precision. Work in the vineyards is a constant dialogue between ancient knowledge and modern tools that enable precision viticulture to protect and preserve the vines, from the most renowned varieties to the prized native ones. Emergency irrigation systems, weather stations, and other cutting-edge technologies monitor the climate and soil conditions.
But it is always the expert eye of the human that makes the difference: every decision is guided by knowledge of the land, and by the passion and dedication of those who work these fields.

The harvest, then, is a constantly evolving process that weaves together innovation and love for the land. Every bottle tells this story: a journey that begins in the vineyards and culminates in the glass, celebrating the tireless work and the extraordinary quality that only careful and conscious management can ensure. It’s an invitation to discover the wines of Tenute del Cerro and to toast to the perfect union of past and future—perhaps with a cellar visit and tasting, or a tour through the vineyards aboard an off-road ​vehicle.