Also in Barolo harvest is anticipated, and yesterday all the operations began

Symbolically, the 2026 Barolo harvest began yesterday, September 10, with Italy Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, performing the traditional cutting of a bunch of Barolo Nebbiolo grapes. The event, organized in collaboration with the Barolo Barbaresco Alba Langhe e Dogliani Consortium and the Langhe Monferrato Roero Tourism Board, took place during a visit to Deditus, the association that for the past 15 years has brought together nine historic Barolo wineries (Azelia, Cordero di Montezemolo, Sandrone, Michele Chiarlo, Pio Cesare, Poderi Luigi Einaudi, Prunotto, and Vietti), united by a shared entrepreneurial and agricultural vision rooted in tradition, estate-owned vineyards, and family values.
Minister Lollobrigida was welcomed to Barbara Sandrone vineyard in Cannubi, one of the most celebrated and renowned crus of the Langhe region. “Italian wine - declared Minister Francesco Lollobrigida - is one of the great strengths of our agri-food sector and has earned value and recognition worldwide. Today, it is going through a period of adjustment that must be addressed carefully and without one-size-fits-all solutions. Businesses and the work of winegrowers, who are also guardians of the land, must remain at the center of our attention. We must support producers, enhance the value of Italian wine, and open up new opportunities in international markets, starting with Asia”.
Following the harvest ceremony, with the support of the municipality of Barolo and the Barolo & Castles Foundation, the Minister took part in an institutional gathering at the Regional Enoteca of Barolo in Falletti Castle, home to the WiMu Wine Museum. There, he met with local mayors and leading public officials, including president of the Piedmont Region Alberto Cirio, and Regional Councillor for Agriculture and Food, Trade, Tourism and Sport Paolo Bongioanni.
In Piedmont, Minister Francesco Lollobrigida added, “the bond between winegrowers and their territory is especially evident. I came here to meet a high-quality production sector and to work together on new opportunities that may arise from international markets. The way forward is to support producers, promote Italian wine, and continue opening new markets”.
“The visit of the Minister of Agriculture - commented Sergio Germano, president of the Barolo and Barbaresco Consortium - was an opportunity to discuss both the challenges and the future projects needed to develop and revitalize the wine and food culture of our territory. The Minister proved to be attentive and well prepared for this constructive dialogue”.
“We invited Minister Lollobrigida to inaugurate the 2026 Barolo harvest because, in the phase we are experiencing today - adds Gianni Gagliardo, president of Deditus - we need the support and closeness of institutions. The wine world has changed, and there is a need for a renewed relationship between the public and private sectors, much as occurred successfully forty years ago when we took our first steps toward conquering international markets”.