Pruning vines by hand: why we do it this way at Frascole

In winter, when the Mugello landscape is tinged with brown tones and the air becomes biting, the work in the vineyard at Frascole does not stop; it changes pace. It is time for the manual vine pruning, a ritual that in Tuscany we carry out with dedication to guarantee not only the quality of the wine, but the longevity of our vines themselves.

While industry is moving toward mechanization, we've chosen to remain anchored to the artisanal gesture. Here's why.

The winemaker's eye against the speed of machines

There manual vine pruning in Tuscany It's much more than a technical operation: it's a dialogue between man and plant. Each vine has its own history, its own characteristics, and its own strength.

The advantages of manual selection:

• Respect for lymphatic flow: When pruning by hand, we make clean, precise cuts, strategically placed to allow the sap to flow smoothly.
• Disease Prevention: Manual cuts reduce the risk of wood diseases, as they allow for better management of the plant's “wound” surfaces.
• Vegetative-productive balance: We decide how many buds to leave on each individual plant based on its health, ensuring that in the following harvest each bunch receives optimal nutrition.

Artisan quality comes from the hands

At Frascole we believe that the quality of Chianti Rufina and our IGT wines comes from right here, among the frozen rows of January.

Looking at these hands, you understand our philosophy. Manual pruning requires time, patience, and deep agronomic knowledge. It's not just cutting; it's designing the future of the vineyard. A poor cut today can compromise tomorrow's production or, worse, weaken a plant that has been with us for decades.

Why this choice is good for wine (and for you)

Choosing a wine produced from hand-pruned vines means supporting an agriculture that puts the well-being of the land at its heart.

1. More expressive wines: A healthy and balanced plant produces grapes with a superior aromatic concentration.
2. Lower environmental impact: Less heavy machinery between the rows means less soil compaction and more life beneath the soil.
3. Landscape Preservation: Manual labor preserves the beauty of our Mugello vineyards, is silent, and contributes to a lower environmental impact.

Want to see how our wines are made?

Pruning is just the beginning of the journey that brings the character of Frascole to your glass. If you'd like to learn more about our organic philosophy or discover the results of so much manual labor, we're ready to guide you through a dedicated tasting.