THE 2019 HARVEST: INTERVIEW WITH ALESSANDRO CELLAI

November 2019

It has been a long and demanding harvest that has ended in Castellare di Castellina, in the Chianti Classico, in Rocca di Frassinello, in Maremma Toscana and in the Sicilian estates Feudi del Pisciotto and Gurra di Mare of the Domini Castellare di Castellina group. The cold spring, which delayed the ripening of the grapes, and the extreme intra-annual variability of the climate imposed agronomic choices that Alessandro Cellai, chief winemaker and CEO of the DCC companies, explains in this interview.

Alessandro, how did you deal with this 2019 so complicated from a climatic point of view?

The 2019 vintage in terms of climate was one of the most complex in recent years, especially in the spring and early summer periods where temperatures were far below average and heavy rains during flowering delayed the subsequent phenological phases considerably. Fortunately July and August but especially September were characterized by sunny days with high (but not too high) temperatures during the day and, above all, with a notable lowering at night; a situation that has greatly favored almost perfect phenolic maturity. Eventually last harvest turned out to be one of the best in recent years despite the fact that the premises weren’t exciting.

How can we intervene in the vineyard to face the extreme variability of a climate that can switch from extreme drought to heavy rains in such a sudden way?

Obviously the work in the vineyard is crucial and it is essential to be able to guide the vineyard according to the climatic conditions. Therefore elasticity and above all dynamism to intervene and quickly correct the management of the vineyard when the climatic conditions change.

The extreme variability has affected both Tuscany and Sicily. In which of the two regions was managing the vineyards more complicated?

Surely Sicily where the variability was greater and led to an important lengthening of the vegetative cycle.

Is there a grape variety in particular that has shown greater reactivity to this variability?

Sangiovese has behaved surprisingly and certainly the most reactive of all those we have.

And one who has suffered the most?

The Nero d’Avola, which has suffered a lot especially the lower temperatures and the abundant spring rains.

What should we expect from the 2019 vintage?

Wines of great complexity but also of extraordinary freshness destined for long aging.

Alessandro, to close, Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico 2017 has just been awarded by Wine Spectator, the Bible of worldwide wine critic, among the twenty best wines in the world. Can you explain why 2017 was such an extraordinary year and, in perspective, what does this recognition mean for the company?

Also 2017 vintage hasn’t matched critics’ favors at the beginning, in fact many journalists condemned it even before seeing the results. I am very happy with this recognition taken with our entry wine and in a difficult vintage where thanks to the extraordinary micro climate at Castellare and the big effort spent by our enological team we have been able to get to a wine that highlights muscles but also a lot freshness making it extremely enjoyable. A great recognition for Castellare but also for the Chianti Classico appellation which for some years now has always been at the absolute top of the quality.

Tags: Castellare di Castellina, Domini Castellare di Castellina, Feudi del Pisciotto, Gurra di Mare, Harvest, Harvest 2019, Rocca di Frassinello