Why patience matters: waiting to harvest Sangiovese in Chianti Classico

Hi everyone,
I’m Francesco, sommelier at Fattoria di Montemaggio, a small organic winery in Chianti Classico.

Many people think harvest in Tuscany happens in August. But for Sangiovese at higher altitude (450–600m), we usually wait until late September or even early October. Why?

• Cooler nights preserve acidity and freshness.
• Slower ripening creates better balance of sugar, tannins, and aroma.
• The extra time gives structure and elegance to the wines.

Walking through the vineyard now, the grapes look beautiful — but they’re not quite ready. For us, patience is part of quality.

👉 Question: Have you noticed differences in wines from early vs. late harvests?

Cheers,
Francesco