As the end of the year approaches, it’s always a good time to take a step back, reflect, and look at how things went over the past months. Every harvest is a unique journey, full of challenges, surprises, and moments of joy. Nature, as always, tested us, but it also taught us a lot. Now that our 2024 Brunello is starting to age, it’s interesting to look back and see how all the different moments of the season helped shape it.

This year’s vintage has been quite special. Spring came early, with warmer-than-usual temperatures by mid-April, which got the vines growing sooner than expected. But in the middle of the month, a sudden cold spell dropped the temperatures, putting a pause on the plants’ growth. It was a bit of a curveball, and we had to keep a close eye on the vineyard.

May and June were marked by unusual weather—cooler temperatures and a lot of rain—so we had to be extra careful with managing the vines. As organic producers, this meant being even more attentive, making sure to strike a balance between the needs of the vines and taking care of the environment around us.

Then summer hit, and it was especially hot, with very little difference between day and night temperatures. This stressed the vines and slowed down the ripening of the grapes. Still, the plants kept going, though at a slower pace than usual. But by September, the cooler temperatures allowed the grapes to ripen slowly and steadily, and the harvest kicked off in early October. What we first thought was a delay turned out to be a good thing, giving us a harvest of excellent quality, with healthy, well-balanced fruit.

The result is a wine that’s elegant, with soft, mature tannins that give it a nice, balanced structure. The freshness and acidity of the grapes, helped by the unusual weather, promise a wine that will age beautifully and continue to evolve over time. Our 2024 Brunello is now aging in wood, where it will develop more complexity and depth.

It’ll be a little while before we can taste the final product, but we’re confident that this vintage will give us a Brunello with unique character, one that really reflects the essence of our land. We can’t wait to share this special wine with you and let you experience the result of all our hard work and passion.

As our 2024 Brunello continues to age, we want to wish you a 2025 filled with happiness, good health, and of course, great wines. A toast from all of us at La Fornace: may the new year bring you plenty of success and joy. Happy New Year!