2025 Harvest: A North-to-South overview by the Italian Academy of Vine and Wine

Growth in quantities for the South and Islands, estimated slight decline in Central-Northern Italy (10-20%), but grapes remain healthy

The forecasts for the 2025 wine season in Italy indicate variable weather conditions from north to south, but generally favorable ones. Regional differences are noted in the vegetative cycle, phytosanitary management, and production estimates. Providing this overview through its members is the Italian Academy of Vine and Wine (Accademia Italiana della Vite e del Vino), which has analyzed the state of the grapes territory by territory.

“We don’t want to issue a simple quality bulletin for the 2025 harvest,” explains the President of the Italian Academy of Vine and Wine, Rosario Di Lorenzo. “We know that quality will also be determined by the work carried out during the final ripening period, so we will return at the end of the harvest with a report that is even closer to reality.”

Thanks to the work of a network of university professors and experts—all academy members—this is the picture divided by major production areas.

Temperatures slightly above average in March and June, rainfall similar to 2024 with brief dry spells, delayed budding and flowering; harvesting of early varieties expected from late August, with slightly higher production and good quality anticipated.

In Friuli-Venezia Giulia, after a rainy May, June and July were hot and dry, requiring irrigation; limited hailstorms, budding 4-5 days early, and Merlot 10 days ahead. Glera, which saw a delayed veraison, is currently catching up. Ribolla is one of the varieties with the most marked early veraison. The traditional mid-August harvest of new resistant varieties will be followed by Pinot Grigio, estimated around August 20.

In Trentino, temperatures were above average in the early months with no late frosts. June was very hot, while July was cooler and rainier, recording the highest rainfall of the year. The vines show good vegetative health thanks to a balance between growth and climate conditions. From a phytosanitary perspective, the situation is under control: downy mildew and powdery mildew are not a concern, with only some instances of botrytis due to July’s humidity. Grapevine yellows and Esca disease are within normal levels compared to last year. Qualitatively, the 2025 harvest looks promising: much will depend on conditions in August and September. Production estimates indicate a slight increase of 2-3% compared to 2024, mainly due to the low impact of downy mildew damage. The introduction of new grape varieties has no significant impact on overall volumes.

Spring 2025 was the sixth rainiest in the last 60 years in Piedmont, with an average exceeding 450 mm. At the start of the season, pressure from downy mildew was very strong, but management—now precisely executed thanks to widespread monitoring systems—was effective and damage was limited. The harvest is expected to be about 10 days earlier than in 2024. A production decrease of 10-15% compared to 2024 is anticipated.

A colder spring led to developmental delays and late veraison in Marche and Abruzzo, while it was early in Emilia; frequent spring rains occurred without critical issues, though striped fruit moth (tignola rigata) requires monitoring. The production capacity of the vineyards generally appears very good. Compared to 2024, increases are expected for Lambrusco (+10%), Trebbiano Romagnolo (+5%), Trebbiano Toscano or Bianchello (+10%), Verdicchio (ranging from +5% to +15%), and Montepulciano (+10%). Production estimates are slightly down for Ancellotta and Pignoletto, the latter having suffered from flower drop and poor fruit set.

In Tuscany, the year began with January, February, and March recording temperatures above average—among the highest in the last 70 years. A rainy winter was followed by a heatwave in the second half of June; budding and flowering were early, veraison was on schedule, and fertility was slightly below average. Overall, production estimates for Sangiovese in Tuscany for 2025 are in line with the 10-year average but lower than 2024. Estimated production for other varieties is also slightly down. The harvest will begin in mid-August with early varieties and from early September for Sangiovese, starting on the coast and ending in early October in inland areas. A slight decrease in grape volume compared to the previous year is also expected for Umbria and Latium. Specifically, downy mildew attacks were noted in Umbria, while in Latium, vines may have suffered from the heatwave between late June and early July.

The exceptional weather patterns of this vintage have left their mark. Budding occurred in an ideal climate, with sunny days and temperatures tempered by the north wind. Ideal conditions for budding and regular phenological stages, scorching but breezy heat, very healthy phytosanitary status, almost total absence of fungal diseases, and some light hailstorms. Harvesting for early grapes—Chardonnay, Sauvignon, and Pinot for sparkling bases—will begin in early August, followed by indigenous varieties. Early estimates suggest the 2025 harvest is set to be a good vintage, with vineyards in good health and a balanced crop load, higher than 2023 and 2024. Production is expected to be 20% higher than last year. If September and October progress positively, these estimates could even increase.

Stable climate with brief heatwaves, phenology slightly delayed but within the norm, higher downy mildew pressure due to morning fog, and production slightly increasing with heavier berries.

South-western: delayed budding, more aggressive downy mildew in coastal areas. Central-southern: delayed phenology and increased yield. Etna: marked delays, strong impact from downy mildew and powdery mildew with losses up to 35%, postponed harvest, and a 20% drop in production.

The winter was mild with little rain, while spring saw abundant rainfall beneficial for vegetative development. A hot June limited fungal diseases, with only slight water stress in the Nurra and southern parts of the island. Phenological stages are slightly ahead of 2024 but in line with previous years. The phytosanitary trend is positive, with some localized downy mildew attacks and minor presence of powdery mildew and leafhoppers, all manageable with limited treatments. Grape production is estimated to increase by 5% compared to the three-year average (2021-2023: 666,137 quintals; 2025 estimate: 701,857 quintals). This is particularly evident in Ogliastra, Sulcis, and the south of the island, with grape quality expected to range from good to excellent.

The contributions were made possible through the collaboration of members Vincenzo Gerbi, Vittorino Novello, Emilio Celotti, Angelo Costacurta, Oriana Silvestroni, Paolo Storchi, Leonardo Palumbo, Mariano Murru, Maurizio Bottura, and Rosario Di Lorenzo.

The Academy currently has over 550 members across various categories; the bylaws stipulate a limited number, with the exception of Honorary Members. In its 75-year history, the AIVV has sponsored countless conferences, scientific and technical meetings, and has organized 340 Academic Sessions (Tornate Accademiche), 17 of which were held abroad in European and non-European countries. It addresses the most current issues in the wine sector, often linking them to the specific aspects of different Italian wine territories through its “itinerant sessions.”