Promising quality and quantity and +7% export growth
With the cutting of the first clusters in the earliest vineyards, the 2025 harvest has begun in Franciacorta and subsequently, with significant volumes, in the cooler areas of the appellation. A progression that reflects the heterogeneity of soils and climates that characterize Franciacorta grapes. Despite international turbulence and the recent introduction of tariffs in the United States that have not spared European wines, Franciacorta exports show strong growth. They reach peaks exceeding 17.4% of the total, with an increase of +7.0%.
“The harvest that begins today fills us with confidence – declares Emanuele Rabotti, President of Consorzio Franciacorta –. Nature has given us back balance and abundance. Healthy grapes, regular ripening and extraordinary aromatic richness. In an increasingly complex climate context, these results are also the fruit of the experience, commitment and sustainability pursued by our entire supply chain. While aware of the uncertainties coming from international markets, such as the new US tariffs, we face this vintage with great determination and sense of responsibility.”
THE VINTAGE PROGRESS
2025 is a very promising vintage. The vineyards are in optimal health conditions, with good vegetative-productive balance, abundant grapes of high quality despite some localized hail events. Events that fortunately spared the appellation during the first weekend of August, lashing some other areas of Brescia. From a thermal perspective, the vintage was marked by temperatures generally in line with or slightly above average, interrupted by brief cold phases in the winter months. April recorded values perfectly within the norm, without temperature drops after budbreak.
May also maintained thermal balance, while June saw warm days but in line with cluster ripening. The heat wave ended at the beginning of July, a month that saw a progressive drop in temperatures with increasingly cooler values, closing below average in the second half. This favored optimal conditions for grape ripening, with a phenological advance of about four days compared to the average.
EXCELLENT BALANCE BETWEEN HEAT, COOLNESS AND WATER RESOURCES
On the precipitation front, the vintage was abundant with 840 mm accumulated between January and July (+31% compared to the historical average). The rains, though abundant, did not cause significant stress or damage, also thanks to the water reserves accumulated in the soils and careful vineyard management. July alone recorded 242 mm of rain against a historical average of 101 mm (+140%).
This balance between heat, coolness and water resources favored regular plant development, well-nourished and not subjected to stress, and cluster ripening with sugar accumulation above average and excellent acidity levels, ideal for Franciacorta production. The territory is expressing its distinctive features at their best, with gradual ripening that should allow wineries a more relaxed and less frantic harvest.
