According to tradition, the benfinita (from ben – “well” – and finita – “finished”) is the celebration that marks the end of harvest. A day to pause, catch our breath, and thank those who shared in both the hard work and the joy of it all. And this year, once again, we made time to celebrate it.

For the first time ever, we closed the gate in the middle of the day and all headed to the sea, near Castiglione della Pescaia. No one in the vineyard, no one in the cellar – just the right way to reward a team that truly gave it their all.

The vintage was a challenging one, full of sudden changes: a rainy spring, followed by a heatwave, a cooler July, then a sun-drenched and sweltering August. Between the start and end of the harvest, 150 millimetres of rain fell, forcing us to slow down and resume only when conditions allowed.

And yet the grapes reached the cellar healthy, ripe, and fragrant, with smooth fermentations and a balance that gives us real hope. Over the past two years, climate change has shown up here in the form of increased rainfall – a pattern that demands constant attention, readiness, and the ability to adapt.

Some vineyards yielded less than the previous year. Others – the younger ones – began to show their character, with balanced yields and a promise for the future. In the cellar, everything ran smoothly and calmly, thanks to a team that worked like clockwork, always focused and never missing a beat.

As always, on a personal note, the end of harvest is confirmed by my usual glucose overload – inevitable after so many days spent tasting grapes, trying to pinpoint “the right moment.” It’s the most straightforward way to feel the vineyard, to really understand what’s happening out there – and yes, I accept the consequences!

At the close of this always-important chapter, beyond all the technical notes and concerns, what stays with me is a deep sense of gratitude and trust in the people who work in this small corner of wine called Poggio Antico. In those who wake up early, who stay late, who take on harvest days – even Sundays – with the same spirit they had on day one, knowing full well the deeper meaning of what we do.

There’s a real sense of unity here, of everyone feeling they have a role and a value. Even those who join us for just a few weeks find an environment that’s welcoming and genuine – and in times when speed often replaces care, that’s something truly precious.

Every year, in the end, I’m struck by how much this team believes in what we do. We work hard, but we do it with real commitment, with care, and with love for our craft. And maybe that’s what Poggio Antico is really about today: staying close to the work, to the people, to the land. Doing things with awareness, moving together toward a shared goal.

It’s a way of being, even more than a way of making wine. I believe in it deeply – I believe it’s how we leave a meaningful mark, by doing things with purpose. And the real reward is knowing that the whole team believes it too.

I’m not one for grand declarations, but I’ll say it anyway: this year, it really is a benfinita.

See you soon,
Pippo