Harvest in Italy

[jennifer]

Well, well, seems as Italy 2009 will be true to me

On my list of things to do before I die is Olive and Wine Harvest!

I would love to check one of these off in September.
I think for olives it will be too early though.

Do any of you have info about wine harvest in Italy? I've been googling and haven't found anything...

THanks

[madamtrashheap]

Aha! Was just mentioning wine and food in reply to an earlier Post of yours! Great that Italy is happening for you in 2009!

You're right, September is generally a bit early for olives in the south, and funghi porcini and truffles for that matter, but there are still things to see, do, eat and drink! But Tuscany begins olive harvest (la raccolta) at the very end of September, so you might get lucky depending on the weather in previous months. Most of the actual olive oil festivals I know are in November and December.

Wine, however, is another matter. September is the beginning of the grape harvest for many regions so you'll be able to enjoy la vendemmia. The exact start date varies according to region and weather, so you'll have to check the region(s) you're thinking of visiting for the harvest to sort out the best time. Of course there are plenty of places in Tuscany, Veneto, Piedmont, etc, so perhaps pick a region that produces your favourite type of wine and go from there. Impruneta has a great grape festival La Festa dell'Uva in late September and Greve in Chianti also celebrates all things Chianti Classico in mid-September.

Try a site called: www.slowtrav.com/italy and see if you can get any more information on harvests or festivals in the time you'll be there.

I know they're not food as such, but the Venice Film Festival is on in September (usually the first week), and the Venice Regatta Storica (historical gondola race) is on the first Sunday in September, the Palio di San Rocco is on in the first week of September in Figline Valdarno which is just south-west of Florence, Festa di Rificolona in Florence when children parade through the streets with lanterns. Oh and Juliet's birthday is celebrated in Verona on 12th September (check that) with a parade and of course recitals at her "balcony"! There's also La Notte Bianca (White Night) in Rome which is generally the second Saturday in September and all cafes, museums, transport, cinemas, etc, stay open all night and the city buzzes even more than usual. Don't think it happened in 2008 (I wasn't around for it this year so not sure) so check for 2009 dates later in the year.

Not sure if you're heading down Naples way, but there is a PizzaFest in September that definitely qualifies as food-related! And if you do go there, try for September 19th as that's the Feast of San Gennaro in the Duomo and the vial holding his blood is shown as the blood liquifies.

[jennifer]

madamtrashheap you're a bible!

I haven't checked planes out yet as dates aren't set, but we were thinking rome and upwards to venice, so the dates don't quite work out

maybe the opposite would be best...

[madamtrashheap]

Pleasure!

If you can change your itinerary to catch one of the festivals then it will be well worth it - my pick would be th Greve in Chianti festival. See how you go with dates, etc and at least know that you'll find good food, wine and scenery even if you don't get a festival or harvest!