Chianti Classico Harvest: Craft, Nature, and Timing at One Belvedere Tuscany
- Our Sustainable Farm (OSF)
At One Belvedere Tuscany, a small artisanal winery in the Chianti Classico region, the harvest is a big deal. Every year is different, shaped by weather, science, and experience. Deciding when to pick the grapes is the most important choice of the year. It is about finding the right balance between data, tasting, and watching the weather. This year, 2025, has been a great season for the vineyards, with perfect conditions leading to high-quality grapes. In this article, we will explain how we decide when to harvest, the order we pick the grapes, the 2025 growing season, and how our community and respect for nature shape everything we do. If you are searching for “Chianti Classico harvest” or “Tuscan wine making,” this is a look at what makes our wines special.
The 2025 Growing Season: A Great Year for Grapes
This year, the weather worked in our favor, creating excellent conditions for the vineyards. Spring brought enough rain to refresh the soil after winter, giving the vines a strong start. Warm, sunny days in spring and early summer helped the grapes form well and start ripening smoothly. By mid-summer, cooler temperatures slowed things down, letting the grapes develop balanced flavors and structure without getting overripe. Late summer was warm and steady, bringing the grapes to full maturity. The result is healthy, rich berries that are perfect for making wine. The 2025 harvest looks promising, with compact, high-quality grapes that should produce an outstanding vintage.
How We Decide When to Harvest
Picking the grapes at the right time is key to making great wine. At One Belvedere Tuscany, we do not rely on just one thing. We use a mix of science and hands-on checks to get it right.
Technical Ripeness
We test the grapes regularly, checking sugar levels, acidity, and pH. These numbers tell us about the wine’s potential alcohol and balance. For example, Sangiovese grapes need sugar levels around 24-26 Brix to keep their fresh, vibrant taste. This measure helps us avoid grapes that are too ripe, which can make the wine taste heavy.
Phenolic Ripeness
We also look at tannins and anthocyanins, which affect the wine’s structure, color, and ability to age. Tannins come from the grape skins and seeds, and we want them to be smooth, not bitter. Anthocyanins provide the wine with its deep red color. We . We use laboratory tools to measure these, but we treat each ard plot separately since they all ripen differently.
Tasting the Grapes
Numbers are not enough. Our team tastes the grapes in the vineyard to check the skins’ texture and the seeds’ flavor. If the skins are soft and the seeds are brown and nutty, the grapes are ready. If the seeds are green and bitter, we wait. This hands-on approach is a big part of what makes our wines artisanal.
Weather
Weather can make or break a harvest. We check forecasts closely to avoid rain or other problems that could harm the grapes. In 2025, the warm, stable late summer gave us plenty of time to pick at the perfect moment.
This careful process ensures every grape is picked when it is at its best, making wines that truly reflect the Chianti Classico region.
The Order of the Harvest
Once we decide to start, the harvest follows a specific order based on how each grape variety ripens. We pick plot by plot to obtain the best quality from each vineyard.
We start with Sangiovese for our rosé, which comes from younger vines on cooler slopes. These grapes are picked early to keep their fresh acidity and bright flavors, like strawberry and citrus. This is a great way to ease into the harvest season and get our equipment ready.
Next, we pick Merlot, which ripens earlier than other grapes, usually by mid-September. Merlot adds soft, fruity flavors to our blends, and picking it early keeps it from getting too sweet. After Merlot comes Canaiolo, a traditional Tuscan grape that adds floral notes and smooth texture to our Chianti Classico. It is harvested between Merlot and the main Sangiovese crop.
Finally, we pick Sangiovese for our Chianti Classico, the star of the show. This grape makes up at least 80% of the blend, as required by the appellation. We harvest it from mid-September to early October, depending on the plot. Higher vineyards ripen later than sunnier ones, so we pick in stages over a few weeks. This careful approach creates wines with complex flavors, from cherry and herbs in cooler areas to darker fruits in warmer spots. In 2025, the healthy grapes made this process especially smooth.
Picking by hand reduces waste and is better for the environment than using machines. Although it requires more effort, this method aligns with our small-scale, quality-focused approach that appeals to those searching for the “Tuscan harvest process.”
A Harvest Built on Community and Nature
The harvest is not just about grapes; it is about people and the land. At One Belvedere Tuscany, it is a team effort that brings everyone together. Local workers and seasonal helpers pick grapes by hand, sharing meals of bread, cheese, and our wines. It is a celebration of a year’s hard work, from pruning in the winter to managing vines in the summer.
We are also working toward organic certification, which shows our commitment to the environment. We avoid synthetic chemicals, using cover crops and natural composting to keep the soil healthy. This leads to better grapes and wines that taste like the true Chianti Classico. Our commitment to sustainability draws people searching for “organic wine Tuscany” to our vineyards.
We also focus on sustainability, saving water, using renewable energy in the winery, and keeping our winemaking simple to let the grapes shine. Each bunch we pick tells the story of the year; 2025’s great conditions should produce elegant, flavorful wines, but it also shows our dedication to protecting the land for the future.
Ready to experience and taste the results of our 2025 harvest of One Belvedere Tuscany?
Join us for a guided tour and tasting to savor the fruits of the harvest.
Visit onebelvederetuscany.com to book your visit and discover the authentic taste of Chianti Classico. Whether you are a wine aficionado or a curious traveler, our wines invite you to share in the story of our land.