Vineyards
From a geographical/climatic point of view, the estate’s lands lie at the foot of the hills to the right of the Tanaro river, in the centre of the Monferrato Astigiano zone. Here the climate is continental, with marked differences in temperature between day and night in the various seasons of the year. There is usually little rainfall and fog is limited to a three-month period. In winter the temperature can get as low as minus 10°C, and in July and the beginning of August it normally reaches +33-35°C; the autumn is particularly ideal for the ripening of the grapes, with cool nights and warm, humid day-time temperatures, with highs over 20°C.
The soils are of silty clay loam. They are deep and of ancient formation, traceable back to “Lugagnano Clays” and “Asti Sands”. This is a D.O.C. vine-growing region which, though substantially homogeneous, contains some vineyards that - by virtue of their exposure, disposition and nature - allow the grape varieties to express their genetic potential and their particular personalities to the full.
The vineyards of the estate, which are tended by hand thus ensuring excellent aeration and ideal exposure to sunlight for the grapes, as well as limited production per vine, are divided up between two areas: that in the commune of Asti, where the Barbera, Grignolino, Dolcetto and Brachetto varieties are grown, and the Il Briccone farm in the commune of Costigliole d’Asti, devoted predominantly to Moscato d’Asti.
The average age of the vines is twenty-five years and, in line with Piedmontese viticultural tradition, they are trained according to the Guyot espalier system, which has shown itself to be the one best suited to the characteristics of the local indigenous varieties, with a vine density of 4,000-5,000 plants per hectare.
For over ten years now, a project has been in force to renew and rejuvenate the vines of the estate: portions of the vineyards have been uprooted and new cuttings planted – at an average of 5 to 8 hectares a year – in order to guarantee the best possible yield in terms of quality and a swift response to market trends.
The ripening process of the individual grape varieties is supervised on a daily basis by estate Director Corrado Surano and by the agronomist, Alberto Saluzzo. The start of harvesting is decided after taking some 500 grape samples (together with their stalks) each week, 400 of which are destined for chemical analysis and the remainder for sensory evaluation. Before picking the red grapes it is extremely important to know the quality of their polyphenols and to what extent colouring matter has accumulated in the skins.
Statistical data gathered over the last 20 years indicate that the vintage at Castello del Poggio usually begins between the 7th and 10th of September with the harvesting of the white Moscato d’Asti variety and then continues until mid-October (but no later than the 20th) with - in succession – the Brachetto, Grignolino, Dolcetto and Barbera grapes.