June in the vineyard: between stories, intense work and toasts, wrapped in the scent of blooming roses. Discover the farming world and its evocative traditions!
In the heart of the Langhe, among hills embroidered with vines and villages suspended in time, June is a special month for viticulture. Nature is in full swing, and so is the winemaker, called to perform ancient and precise gestures to care for the vine and its future fruit. But June is also the time of farming traditions: rituals rooted in popular memory that still accompany the lives of those who work the land today.
St. John’s Night: beneficial dew and ripe cherries
Between June 23 and 24, St. John’s Night is celebrated, one of the most meaningful nights in the farming calendar. According to tradition, St. John’s dew has beneficial powers: it protects the vines from diseases and brings abundance to the harvest.
In the past, aromatic herbs touched by this miraculous dew were collected and used to bless fields and rows: a gesture full of symbolism, evoking a deep respect for the earth’s natural cycles.
And then there’s the “Giuanin”, another small yet great protagonist of the season: it is the tiny worm found in ripe cherries right during this time. Its name – a diminutive of Giovanni (John) – symbolically links it to this magical night. It is said that, as the vines grow stronger under the kiss of dew, cherry trees, at the peak of their ripening, welcome the Giuanin to establish a natural balance capable of regulating the cycles of the earth. The red of the blooming roses and the ripening cherries dots and brightens fields and rows, heralding the arrival of a summer to be fully lived.
What are roses for among the vineyard rows?
The rose has always been a flower of great value to the farming world. Considered the quintessential flower of the Virgin Mary, it is a symbol of love, beauty, and femininity. It is also used in the Corpus Domini processions: religious processions deeply rooted in the rural societies of the past, which involved the adoration of the body of Christ through the scattering of fresh flower petals (and roses) in the path of the monstrance.
But why does this beautiful and fragrant flower grow alongside and color our vineyards? In this specific case, roses are not just decorative elements, but true natural sentinels of the vineyard, more sensitive to diseases like powdery mildew and downy mildew. Placing these plants at the beginning of the rows serves as an early warning against potential pathogen attacks on the vines: the presence of disease on the rose is a red flag for the farmer, enabling them to intervene promptly and prevent more serious damage.
Of course, modern technologies and monitoring systems have now replaced this method, but for us it is essential to combine both approaches, maintaining and caring for the beautiful roses in our vineyards. A small testament to a viticulture respectful of and attentive to biodiversity.
Work in the vineyard in June: green pruning, thinning and inspections
June is a crucial month for viticulture in Piedmont, especially in renowned areas like Barolo. Vineyard work during this period is essential to ensure the quality of the autumn harvest. Activities intensify, with targeted interventions to ensure balance and protection.
Among the main vineyard tasks for June are:
- Phytosanitary control: disease monitoring (Flavescence dorée, Esca disease) and treatments according to regulations.
- Green pruning: removal of excess shoots to promote light and ventilation for the bunches.
- Cluster thinning: especially in Nebbiolo, to increase the quality and concentration of the grapes.
- Vegetative management: constant observation of shoots to maintain balance between foliage and production.
What’s new at Agricola Marrone for even more efficient vineyard work: the new crawler tractor has arrived!
June brings great news: we’ve just received a new crawler tractor, a machine widely used throughout the Barolo area. This choice is mainly due to the types of terrain and the ease of working our vineyards.
The Langhe hills are very steep, with slopes over 30%: the presence of tracks on the vehicle’s wheels allows for better traction on the ground, preventing slipping or tipping over. This type of tractor, known for its great stability and excellent grip, allows for better weight distribution on the soil, while avoiding excessive compaction. A crucial aspect for the health of the soil and vine roots, in line with our philosophy of total respect for every plant and its wellbeing. A compact crawler also ensures better maneuverability among tight rows, offering good agility and precision in work.
Luxuriant roses, happy vineyards, and a new tractor for more precise and effective work… what better excuse to celebrate?
As tradition dictates, every new achievement is an unmissable occasion for sharing. Between vineyard work and laughter, we celebrated the arrival of the new machine among the rows, raising our glasses to all the beauty that is yet to come.