2016 Harvest forecast

Harvest season is about to start, and the three members of the Col Vetoraz team, Francesco Miotto (of the founding family), agronomist Paolo De Bortoli, and enologist Loris Dall’Acqua, express their expectations after a careful consideration of the growing season and the results obtained during the various stage of ripening.

The beginning of the season - they explain - was difficult for vine growth because of a rainy period coincident with flowering. This required greater attention in the vineyard because the vines are generally more sensitive under these conditions. Coulure in the flowers was positive because the clusters developed loose-packed, which encouraged aeration and therefore greater possibility of vegetative growth.

The seasonal development was considered almost perfect. In July there was a very warm but short-lived period, about ten days, and following rains helped to lower temperatures. Successively, the alternation of sunny and rainy days was optimal because this is the ideal condition for the ripening of white grapes.

The seasonal development was considered almost perfect. In July there was a very warm but short-lived period, about ten days, and following rains helped to lower temperatures. Successively, the alternation of sunny and rainy days was optimal because this is the ideal condition for the ripening of white grapes.

"An essential factor for white grapes varieties - underlines enologist Loris Dall’Acqua - is the attention to the respiratory cycle and to the oxidation-reduction of the vine; when temperatures are high the cycle is constant, but with significant hikes it slows down its rhythm and this alternation allows the preservation of acidity and aromatic elegance."

The beginning of the harvest operations is scheduled for 19 September, since the Col Vetoraz team believes that this will be the moment that brings the right balance between ripeness and preservation of good acidity. Thus, all the factors are in place for an optimal 2016 harvest, one that would ensure preservation of elegance and aromatic properties in the wine, which has always been the distinguishing characteristics of this Valdobbiadene producer’s sparkling wines.