Come down to the vineyard with Agricola Marrone to discover interesting facts, beliefs, rituals, and… vineyard work!
For those who have chosen viticulture as their profession, relying on centuries of family history and farming traditions, it is often impossible to escape the fascinating bond that unites reality, legend, and magic. This year, in addition to sharing what happens among our vines and keeping you updated on our work, climate, and nature, we will explore—month by month—the rich repertoire of beliefs, traditions, myths, and folk wisdom surrounding the world of agriculture. Because the line between magic, reality and the beliefs that arise from it, is very thin indeed…
Let’s begin our journey through history, agriculture, and folklore in January. Many of you have probably heard of the “Days of the Blackbird”, a fascinating chapter in Italian tradition celebrated each year from January 29 to 31. According to popular belief, these three days are considered the coldest of winter. But where does this tradition come from? And what are its connections to popular culture and weather patterns?
“Days of the Blackbird”: The Origin of the Name
The name “Days of the Blackbird” (Italian: Giorni della Merla) is tied to a legend that varies across different regions of Italy. One of the most well-known versions tells of a white-feathered blackbird that, seeking shelter from the freezing cold of the year’s coldest days, took refuge in a chimney. After three days, it emerged covered in soot, and since then, blackbirds have had black feathers. According to another interpretation, with a more historical basis, the term merla refers to river transport equipment used in crossing the Po River. During those cold days, these vessels were often immobilized by surface ice, unable to move forward.
What Do the Days of the Blackbird Represent?
The Days of the Blackbird carry strong symbolic value. In farming culture, they represented a crucial period for predicting the weather patterns of the coming months. It is said that if the days are cold, spring will be mild and early. On the other hand, if they are mild, spring may arrive late.
Shifting from legend to our vineyard, we note that temperatures have already dropped below zero in recent days: an ideal condition for preparing the vines for pruning, one of the most important tasks in vineyard management. Winter pruning can be carried out after the leaves have fallen and when temperatures remain below zero for about ten days, continuing until the resumption of vegetative growth in spring. Choosing the right time for pruning is not only a matter of practical and organizational factors but also physiological and sanitary considerations.
Pruning cuts are the primary “entry point” for bacteria and fungi responsible for various diseases (one of which is esca disease, to name just one). Pruning early in the winter leaves a longer time window for pathogens to settle in the plant. For this reason, we prefer to delay pruning until close to spring, allowing the vines to quickly isolate the cut areas and prevent the spread of fungi and bacteria.
Just like the blackbird in the legend, during these cold days, the vines “fall asleep”: sap circulation slows down, and vegetative activity is temporarily suspended. We will defer evaluations and interventions until the coming months, waiting until we have a clearer picture of each vine’s condition.
Indeed, vines carry a memory of their history, whether it be frost, drought, diseases, or prosperous times of general well-being. Our task is to reflect and think carefully about the past (and future) of each vine, deciding how to act and what to aim for in the harvest of the coming year. Generally speaking, it is advisable to avoid making large cuts, which weaken the vine and make it vulnerable to infections. The key lies here: assessing, planning, and acting in advance to have healthy vines capable of defending themselves.