A journey through the 2024 harvest at Ugolini Vini, including complexities, climatic challenges and the promise of high quality wines in the historic Valpolicella Classica land.
The grape harvest is a crucial moment in every winemaker's calendar, an annual rite that marks time and embodies all the hopes and efforts of an entire vintage. At Ugolini Vini, the vintage 2024 offered a rich tale of challenges, expectations and gratifications. The vines that stretch across the winery's six crus have gone through a growing cycle punctuated by uncertain climatic conditions. The skilled hand of the winegrowers, however, has once again managed to harvest the best of the Earth's Echo.
The rhythm of the harvest 2024: a journey back to the origins
Beginning on September 13th and ending on October 16th, Ugolini Vini's 2024 grape harvest followed a longer time schedule than in recent years. Usually, the harvest ends in about 20 days, but this year, due to heavy rains, the time had been extended to 34 days. This return to a slower rhythm, similar to what happened before 2019, was a reminder of tradition, a sign that despite innovation, the nature keeps its central role in viticulture.
Croatina, harvested in the Pozzetto Cru and bound to become part of Valpolicella Classico, was the first variety to ripe. Closing the harvest was instead Corvina, harvested in the Monte Solane Cru. Part of the grapes from this prestigious vineyard were immediately pressed and destined for a very characteristic winemaking process. The coming Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso DOC “Monte Solane” will ripen on the dried grapes from the same Cru, adding complexity and structure to the wine.
Climate challenges in Valpolicella
The vintage 2024 will be remembered for fickle and harsh weather. Heavy rains, accompanied by fluctuating temperatures, provided a continue challenge. Mornings with temperatures of 10ºC were interspersed with days of 30ºC, creating an environment of uncertainty and trouble. There were periods when incessant rains made working in the fields difficult, resulting in difficulty in planning the harvest.
Vine diseases caused by moisture affected all the Cru, resulting in a 20% loss of the harvest. However, in spite of these difficulties, manual harvesting made it possible to keep high quality standards, thanks to the careful selection of the best bunches. Among the varieties, Corvinone was the most affected, while Croatina showed great resistance, proving to be the healthiest of all.
A grape harvest that astonishes: less expectations, more achievements
Despite some climatic difficulties, Ugolini Vini's 2024 harvest brought surprising results in terms of both quantity and quality. Initial expectations were wary, but thanks to careful agronomic management during the summer months, the winery managed to harvest an impressive 124,000 kilograms of grapes, enough to meet the demand for bottles for the vintage 2024. In addition, a further 200 grape quintals were picked and pressed fresh to produce the Valpolicella Classico DOC “Pozzetto”.
In a setting where many Valpolicella wineries have seen a decline either in quality or in quantity, Ugolini Vini has been able to prove that with devotion and know-how there is the chance to overcome difficulties and uphold high production standards, reaffirming the importance of careful agronomic work in challenging vintages.
The experience gained over 30 vintages has been crucial in being able to deal with climatic challenges; under comparable natural conditions, the 2014 harvest put the winery in such difficulty that it was unable to produce its renowned Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG “Valle Alta” and Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso DOC “Monte Solane.” Ten years later, the skilled hand of the winemakers has been able to understand nature's signals and forestall the most substantial damage, laying the groundwork for an excellent vintage.
Wine forecasts for the vintage 2024
The vintage 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting in recent years, despite (or perhaps thanks to) the climatic difficulties. Less warm weather than in previous years has encouraged slower and more gradual ripening, while keeping a good amount of acidity.
This balance promises Valpolicella wines of great finesse, with an elegant aromatic profile and lively acidity that gives them freshness and long-lasting life.
In the Valpolicella Classica area, where each vintage is a unique story, Ugolini Vini is still marking out its own path of tradition and expertise. And now, we just have to wait for time to complete its work in the cellar, turning these precious grapes into wines able to tell the story of a vintage so rich in challenges and satisfactions.