Those who know me know that I have always been hyperactive. The alarm clock goes off at the crack of dawn and every day starts with an inspection of the vineyards.

This is the part I love best.

The cool air on my skin, the creaking of branches under my feet, and silence all around. It’s usually a feeling that fills me with great sense of peace, so much so that I get to the end of the day feeling tired, but happy.

This morning, however, as I was walking, there was something on my mind that I couldn’t let go of. Something that is troubling me deeply.

The news that is flooding our social media, newspapers and TV about the damage caused by climate change. It’s a topic that has crept into everyone’s conversations and it keeps me awake at night, causing me to think constantly about what we can do to protect our precious wine heritage.

In Italy, like elsewhere in the world, we are witnessing increasingly extreme weather events: from raging fires in the South to devastating storms in the North. It’s a situation that concerns us all, and me personally, very deeply, and as winemakers, we are being called upon to take action.

In my personal ranking of the most worrying events, drought comes top of the list.

The sun, while being a precious resource for growing and ripening grapes, can become an unexpected enemy in August, with the risk of scorching the grapes, especially for red wines. The skin of the grapes has to be perfect for fermentation, but when the sun is too hot, it can cause irreparable damage.

The roots of the vines can also struggle to find the vital lymph needed to nourish the grapes, and even the older plants suffer, as they cannot develop an adequate leaf wall to cope with the extreme changes in the climate.

Drought is a key factor to consider as we try to protect viticulture and ensure the production of high quality wines in a context of increasingly evident climate change.

In second place comes hail, the most unpredictable event, which spares no one. No radar can predict its arrival and we often find ourselves unprepared to deal with its devastating impact.

These challenges not only affect production, they also directly affect the quality of the wine itself. Every year, at our winery, we work hard to uphold a tradition that goes back centuries, a passion handed down from generation to generation, and seeing the quality of our wines under threat touches us deeply.

When I set foot between the rows of vines, I feel the earth vibrate beneath my feet. Every vine has a story to tell and in every bunch is the product of profound and authentic dedication. I feel a responsibility to this land, to this community and to future generations who I hope will continue to cultivate our heritage.

This is the moment when I ask myself, how can we make a difference? How can we protect our viticulture and preserve its uniqueness?

One possible answer lies in sustainability and the adoption of innovative practices.

Like the “Adopt a row” project. This very simple yet very powerful practice has taught us to look beyond the vines and consider the entire ecosystem that surrounds our vineyards.

As droughts and climate change intensify, the proper use of water resources becomes crucial. As part of our “Adopt a row” project, we apply soil management practices that reduce the evaporation of water and ensure that sufficient moisture is preserved for the plants.

This encourages better root development of the vines and greater resistance to adverse weather conditions. We also carefully choose when to top or bend the vines, always trying to favour the well-being and balance of the vineyard.

Agricultural sustainability is also based on the promotion of biodiversity in the environments that we cultivate. By choosing cover crops and adopting practices that promote the ideal habitat for beneficial insects and other animals, a natural balance is created in the vineyards. This more diverse ecosystem helps improve the resilience of the entire vineyard and increase resistance to disease and environmental stress.

The installation of anti-hail nets on the vines makes it possible to protect the bunches and significantly reduce the damage caused by this phenomenon, guaranteeing the continued production of high quality grapes.

I think that sustainability goes way beyond these specific practices.

Biodiversity has become a key element of our production philosophy. We have realised the importance of cultivating a rich and diversified environment, in which every organism has its own role to play.

We have also realised the importance of organic matter. We have ruled out the excessive use of chemicals in favour of more natural and environmentally friendly methods. This has allowed us to obtain higher quality grapes while preserving the health of the soil that nourishes us.

I am aware of the situation and proud to be part of a bigger movement, in which winemakers and wine lovers team up to protect our beloved land. Sustainability has become a mantra for life, a commitment that permeates every aspect of our business and is a constant reminder that our success is inextricably linked to the health of this land.

I know there will still be many morning walks characterised by thoughts and worries, but I love my job and always will.

The “Adopt a row” project is my speck of hope that grows every day, a commitment towards a better future. Seeing the sustainable practices we are adopting makes me believe that we are heading in the right direction.

With every smile born among these vines, with every bunch of grapes that ripens under the sun, with every glass that is raised in a toast, we strengthen our commitment to preserving the beauty and uniqueness of this land that is so dear to us.