July in the vineyards among veraison, thinning, and peasant saints. Tradition, hard work, and ancient wisdom in the heart of the Langhe.
July is the time of year when nature gives its all: the rows of vines are laden, the landscape is saturated with light and color, and the vineyard expresses its utmost vitality. It’s no coincidence that for the Romans, it was the month dedicated to Jupiter, king of all gods, symbolizing the generative power of the earth. July carries the scent of ripening and of bold decisions. But also of legends, peasant saints, and rituals passed down through time.
Vineyard work in July: between vigor and strategy
After a June marked by abundant rains and sudden storms, we have experienced an extraordinary growth of vegetation. For this reason, in the vineyard, we opted for higher cuts than usual: a strategy aimed at promoting renewal and controlling vegetative pressure without intervening too invasively on leaf removal.
Our goal remains unchanged: to guide the plant toward its natural balance. We will therefore proceed with cleaning the bunch zone (to improve general plant aeration), carry out periodic mulching (to avoid excessive grass cover), and perform targeted soil tillage (useful to promote the evaporation of moisture accumulated in the soil). Abundant rains, in fact, encourage diseases such as downy mildew and powdery mildew, which we fight through daily monitoring and targeted actions. The quality of the vintage is built here, day by day.
Early thinning: fewer clusters, higher quality
July brings us closer to the veraison period: the moment when berries begin to change color. A delicate stage, before which it’s necessary to make some agronomic choices.
At Agricola Marrone, always supporters of early thinning, we have decided to keep one cluster per shoot: a firm, almost bold decision, especially in a period when the risk of hailstorms is ever-present. Yet, as our agronomist reminds us, it’s better to have few healthy clusters than many compromised ones.
Excessive crop load indeed reduces the final quality and drains energy from the plant, harming the aromatic and structural balance of the wine.
July festivities: saints, harvests, and farming beliefs
July is the quintessential agricultural month, even in the popular calendar: many of the religious festivities listed in the calendar actually have pagan roots, celebrating the fertility of the land, the harvest, and protection against the whims of the weather.
On July 20th, we celebrate Saint Margaret, protector of women and farmers. Folk tales describe her as interceding in difficult times, even during childbirth. For us, this day fondly recalls “nonna Rita,” dad Gian Piero’s mother: a strong woman, a steadfast reference point for the Marrone family. July 22nd is dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, long invoked in rural communities as the protector of the harvest. In some regions, legends tell that her relics have protected fields and families from hailstorms and famine.
These are days of prayer, of ancient gestures, and of the small, significant care and attention we dedicate to our vines and their fruit.
July in the Langhe: the discreet strength of the vineyard
July is the month when the vineyard requires patience, attentiveness, and moderation, and every day among our rows feels almost like a challenge: between meticulous work, scorching sun, delicate agronomic decisions, and an ever-watchful eye turned toward the sky.
But it’s also a month of gratitude: for what nature gives us, for the traditions that guide us, for the work of hands that, with respect, humility, and knowledge, prepare the vintage to come.