The growing environment is defined by hot, dry conditions, tempered by sea breezes moving inland from the coast, while high solar radiation drives canopy development and fruit composition. Together, these factors shape both ripening dynamics and wine style, producing structured red wines with clear varietal and regional identity.

Within this context, Principi di Butera, part of the Zonin1828 group, has embarked on a major operational rehabilitation—focused on vineyard recovery, water management and long-term sustainability.

Site conditions

Leading the transition is Paolo Tealdi, a Piedmont-born winemaker with extensive experience across the Langhe and Monferrato, appointed estate director in 2023.

“We’re on calcareous hill formations at 250–350 metres above sea level, only about 10 kilometres from the sea,” Tealdi explains. “That gives us constant natural ventilation, strong light, and a meaningful day–night temperature variation—factors that help keep ripening balanced.”

Compared to northern Italy, he notes, vine phenology runs earlier.

“Sicily’s mild winters mean we see an advance of roughly one month compared with the north. This year, even with late pruning, the canopy was already well developed by March.”

Summer conditions then slow the pace.

“High temperatures and prolonged dry periods limit vegetative growth. Harvest typically runs from early August for sparkling wine bases—where acidity is critical—through to early October for still red wines.”

Climate variability has added further complexity.

“When I arrived in 2023, vineyard condition was poor and required extensive recovery work. But the site potential was immediately clear. The task was to rebuild the vineyard system and translate that potential into consistent, identifiable wines.”

A tight team, vineyard to winery

Tealdi works closely with Gianluca Peirano, the estate’s viticulture manager and a long-time collaborator from Piedmont. Their approach is based on communication and joint decision-making.

“Gianluca and I are on the same page. I trust his experience, which is critical—especially in a climate like this, where conditions can force quick decisions.”

Together, they have restructured the estate’s operations: 125 hectares of vineyards, partial replanting with indigenous varieties including Nero d’Avola, Grillo and Inzolia, a full upgrade of irrigation infrastructure with systems designed for fertigation, winery workflow adjustments, and a gradual shift toward more sustainable vineyard practices.

Sustainability as an operating framework

For Tealdi, sustainability is not a buzzword, but an operating vision made tangible through through daily management choices.

“We’ve implemented phytoremediation systems, rainwater recovery, cover cropping, and composting of winemaking residues,” says Tealdi. “We also grow wheat, almonds and olives for agritourism, all within the estate. The goal is an integrated agricultural model where inputs and outputs are connected.”

In Sicily’s climate, water management is central. Summer drought can last for months, and vine water stress may occur as early as June. Under these conditions, irrigation decisions directly affect vine balance, yield stability and wine quality.

Using decision support to manage irrigation

To support irrigation planning, the estate has used the Vintel® decision-support system since 2018. Today, it is fully integrated into vineyard management.

“We don’t irrigate to push yields,” Tealdi says. “The objective is to maintain the vine’s physiological balance. Vintel® helps us identify when intervention is necessary—and when it isn’t.”

The irrigation module is the most actively used component. It allows the team to anticipate water stress, compare seasons, and estimate vine water requirements at different phenological stages.

“In 2023, we had virtually no rainfall from March through October. In 2024, rainfall continued until May. In that kind of variability, experience alone isn’t enough. You need objective data to make clear decisions.”

Precision where it matters most

Tealdi’s objective is clear: produce wines that reflect their Sicilian origin while remaining consistent, balanced and genuinely enjoyable to drink. Vineyard management decisions—from pruning to harvest timing—are made with defined quality targets and long-term vineyard performance in mind.

“Technology doesn’t replace the technician,” he says. “It helps us make better decisions—especially when climate becomes unforgiving.”

As Principi di Butera continues to expand its presence in international markets, the priority is building a resilient production model—one that can adapt to climate variability while remaining sustainable and maintaining wine quality year after year.

“True sustainability means making quality wines today without compromising our ability to do the same tomorrow. And to get there, every drop counts.”

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L’article Every Drop Counts : How Paolo Tealdi Is driving the sustainable turnaround of Principi di Butera in Sicily est apparu en premier sur Vintel®.

Ensuring optimal nutrition from the start of the season

Pour optimiser votre saison viticole, il est essentiel de fournir dès le début un apport nutritionnel stratégique aux vignes. Un apport nutritionnel adéquat avant la floraison favorise une croissance saine et vigoureuse, assurant les bases d’une récolte de qualité. Un apport nutritif précoce, particulièrement s’il garantit l’équilibre optimal des éléments majeurs et des oligo-éléments, est stratégique car il favorise un développement racinaire sain, une floraison optimale, renforce la résistance aux stress environnementaux et contribue à produire une récolte de haute qualité. Tout déséquilibre pourrait conduire à des pertes de rendements ou un impact sur la qualité du vin.

Controlling the ideal amount of nitrogen

Nitrogen, the nutrient that most influences yield, is essential for vine growth, but finding the right balance is a challenge. Low nitrogen levels can limit fruit growth, while too high a level can lead to excessive vegetation and the risk of disease.

According to IFV, recommended nitrogen doses generally range from 30 to 60 kg N/ha for production of 6 to 10 t/ha, and 60 to 90 kg N/ha for production of 10 to 25 t/ha.

L’absorption de l’azote se déroule principalement en trois phases : la première se produit pendant et peu après la floraison. L’azote absorbé est alors principalement utilisé pour la croissance végétative. Une deuxième phase a lieu pendant la véraison, période durant laquelle l’azote absorbé enrichit principalement les baies. Enfin, une troisième phase intervient après les vendanges, si les conditions climatiques le permettent. L’azote absorbé est alors stocké dans les parties pérennes de la vigne.

Il est donc crucial de planifier la fertilisation de manière que la bonne quantité d’azote soit disponible pendant ces périodes critiques. Vous maximisez ainsi la santé de vos vignes et garantissez la qualité de votre récolte, en favorisant une croissance équilibrée et une maturation optimale.

Nitrogen, the driving force behind vine growth and quality

In addition to its crucial role in vine growth, nitrogen plays a decisive role in fermentation and wine quality. During alcoholic fermentation, nitrogen is used by yeast to metabolize sugars into alcohol and other aromatic compounds. An adequate supply of nitrogen promotes more complete fermentation, contributing to the production of higher-quality wines.

De plus, l’azote est essentiel pour la synthèse des protéines dans les baies, ce qui influence directement la composition du moût et, par conséquent, les caractéristiques organoleptiques du vin final. Un bon apport d’azote favorise la production de mouts plus riches en acides aminés, en protéines et en enzymes, éléments clés pour obtenir des vins équilibrés, aromatiques et dotés d’une texture plus complexe.

By ensuring optimal nitrogen supply throughout the vine’s growth cycle, winegrowers can significantly improve the quality of their harvest and produce exceptional wines.

Our experts anticipate nitrogen competition

Le cycle de l’azote est complexe et les facteurs de compétition azotée pour les cultures, nombreux, mais cette compétition peut être anticipée afin de maximiser la biodisponibilité de l’azote pour la vigne. Nos experts calculent avec précision le dosage d’azote nécessaire, en tenant compte du couvert végétal et du type d’engrais utilisé, pour une disponibilité optimale des nutriments dans le sol. Piloter votre fertilisation azotée et maîtriser les facteurs de compétition permet d’assurer la productivité et la santé de votre vignoble de manière durable.

Our digital tools for intelligent fertilization

Optimisez votre gestion de la fertilisation avec nos outils numériques avancés !
La modélisation des dynamiques de l’azote vous permet de prendre des décisions éclairées pour une croissance et une qualité optimale de votre vignoble. La solution Vintel permet de simplifier votre quotidien et d’optimiser vos performances techniques et économiques.

Préparez-vous dès maintenant pour une saison fructueuse avec une fertilisation optimisée et nos outils numériques innovants. Contactez-nous pour maximiser le rendement et la qualité de votre vignoble : Vintel®

L’article Spring: feed your vines for a fruitful season est apparu en premier sur Vintel®.

The problem is known as « delayed spring growth » and can be caused by lack of soil moisture. It results in bud wilting, stunted growth and, in severe cases, fruit shatter and abortion. It is partly due to vascular impairment due to dry conditions. Dormant buds become dehydrated over winter and have relatively weak vascular connections to the rest of the vine. Spring sap flow (bleeding) helps repair any vascular embolisms that may have formed over the winter and rehydrates the buds. However, when the soil is excessively dry or the carbohydrate reserve too low, this process can be impaired and shoots with faulty connections do not receive adequate carbohydrate supplies at growth resumption, even if soil moisture is subsequently re-established.

Another consequence of soil dryness in winter and spring is the inhibition of fine root formation. Fine roots are non-woody, short-lived roots with very small diameters < 1 mm. They are important for resource acquisition and microbial interactions. Their growth is promoted by carbohydrate demand from the plant (in the spring, for example) and is strongly limited by the lack of soil moisture. For this reason, early season drought can lead to decreased nutrient absorbtion and cause nutrient deficiencies.

These consequences are not homogeneous in vineyards. Only some shoots are affected by unresolved vascular embolisms and dry patches in soils are often distributed hetereogeneously depending on soil variability. This results in desynchronised budburst and phenology within the same vineyard, which makes viticultural operations more complicated.

Climate change, ants and winter drought: a terrible mix for your irrigation system

In addition to its adverse effects on plant growth, winter drought can be accounted for yet another problem in vineyards: the breaking and failure of subsurface drip irrigation systems.

In recent years many vineyards in southern France have reported damage and failure of irrigation systems at the onset of the growing season. This occurred only for subsurface drip systems and after drier and warmer than average winters such as 2019.  Close investigations have revelead that water emitters along the dripperline are damaged by soil-dwelling ants that search for water at the end of winter rest. When the ants cannot find water in the soil profile, they enter the irrigation system and pierce the emitter membranes to enter in the water pipes. The phenomenon has been particularly pronounced in recent years and fueled by climate change.

In most mediterranean and temperate species, ants stop foraging for food and become inactive in winter. Because their activities are greatly reduced, they can survive with their energy reserves for a few months. This slower metabolic state is called « diapause ». The increase in temperature during the early spring months cues ants to re-emerge from their chambers, prompting workers to search for new food sources and water. In the last few years, record winter temperatures have promoted earlier ant activity, inside dry soils that had not yet been irrigated. The lack of moisture has pushed ants into irrigation systems where the damages have been done.

Many different ant species live in mediterranean soils, but only a few are small enough to enter the emitters and wander through the system. In southern France, the culprits have been identified  as belonging to the genus « Solenopsis ».

How to protect your vineyard: the importance of winter irrigation

Given the adverse effects that excessive soil dryness can have in winter, it is important to ensure that soils retain their moisture during winter rest and are ready to support a healthy growth resumption at the time of budburst.

In winter months, growers should assess soil moisture, review the weather forecast, and consider whether winter irrigation may be needed. If the soil is dry and no significant precipitation is in the forecast, then irrigation is recommended. Grapevines use little water over the dormant season, and lower temperatures decrease soil evaporation, so often only one irrigation will be needed in January or February.

Irrigation experts advise to perform one « technical irrigation » to fill up the soil profile to manage any potential potential growth disorders and prevent ants from damaging subsurface drip irrigation systems. To know exactly how much and how long to irrigate, a precise knowledge of soil composition and depth and the evaluation of its water holding capacity are very useful. These information can be provided by agronomic models and irrigation DSS like Vintel.

With drought setting in southern France and no significant precipitation forecasted for the next weeks it is the right time to think about  “watering ”  your vineyard. A strategic irrigation now can avoid many later problems and ensure a good start of the 2022 season.

L’article Winter drought: have you thought about irrigating your vineyard? est apparu en premier sur Vintel®.

Cover crops are a complex subject that raises many questions, so much so that it is sometimes difficult to find one’s way around.

Here are 10 facts you need to know about cover crops in vineyards :

1. Cover crops are plants that cover the soil between and under taller crops

Cover crops can be found between and under the rows of at the foot of a vertical crop (vineyards, orchards..). They can be natural or sown, temporary or permanent, planted in all rows or not. They represent an alternative to chemical weeding and tillage.

This technique is not new, as the Romans were already using it 2000 years ago.

Indeed, until the 1930s, this method of maintaining vineyard soils was considered a good viticultural practice, with positive effects on soil.

Later, the development of mineral fertilizers, mechanization, and an increased awareness of the nutrient and water competition between “grass” and vines led to extensive weeding in vineyards. Since the 1970s, chemical weed control has been adopted by the vast majority of vineyards in France.

2. Cover crops occupy 52% of the surface area of French vineyards

In  2016, in France, cover crops occupied 52% of total vineyard surface area. Their presence varied according to the viticultural area, from 24% in Burgundy to 99% in Dordogne. On the other hand this practice is hardly present in Mediterranean vineyards. This is because mediterranean winegrowers fear an excessive competition between cover crops and grapevines, generating water stress.

3. Cover crops favor life in the soil

Cover crops are an important source of organic matter that encourages life in the soil. They create biotopes favoring the formation of humus and the development of microbial ecosystems.

4. Cover crops protect the soil from erosion and limit pesticides transfer into soil and water

Cover crops prevents soil erosion by acting as a protective layer. The roots of the herbaceous plants hold soil particles in place, thus preventing erosion by water and wind. Surface vegetation creates a physical barrier that reduces the direct impact of raindrops, thereby decreasing the risk of soil loss. As a result, cover crops keep vineyard soils healthy, preserving their fertility and ability to support growth. Additionally, they act as a natural barrier against the pesticides transfer into soil. Vegetation captures some of the pesticides that could otherwise be washed away by precipitation or irrigation, thus limiting their impact on groundwater and watercourses. By promoting microbial biodiversity in the soil, herbaceous plants also contribute to the natural decomposition of pesticide residues.

5. Cover crops create competition

Cover crops create competition for water and nutrients between the plant cover and the vine. This competition is strongly influenced by climate – in particular by sunshine and rainfall – and must be controlled and adapted to the desired objectives. If it is too strong, the vine will become water stressed and will not absorb the appropriate amount of nitrogen.

The competition caused by cover crops occurs during the vegetative season of grapevine and during berry ripening. Thus, it begins at bud break and becomes more pronounced at flowering. During the vegetative rest period (autumn and winter), there is no competition between cover crops and grapevine.

If competition is too important, it can result in grapevine stress. Therefore, to control competition, it is possible to adjust the width of the grass cover or to irrigate. Be careful, however: to be effective, these measures must be taken at the right time.

6. Cover crops are not recommended for young vines

Because of water and nutrient competition, the French Institute of Vine and Wine (IFV) advises against growing cover crops in young vineyards that are less than 3 years old. Plants are not sufficiently developed to draw water and nutrients from the soil deep layers.

With the exception of particularly vigorous plots, cover crops should not be considered before the 4th or 5th year. However, grass strips can be planted around the plot to limit erosion.

7. Cover crops help to control vine vigor

Cover crop can be used to limit problems related to excessive plant vigour. Water and nutrient competition results in a reduction in vine vigour and yields. By controlling cover crops, winegrowers can control this balance, to improve the quality of their wines.

8. Cover crops can improve wine quality

Cover crops can play a beneficial role in improving the quality of grape musts by influencing both vine vigor and soil microbial life.

Competition between the vegetation cover and the vine can lead to a reduction in vigor, resulting in grape musts that are less acidic and have a higher alcohol potential. For red grapes, this potential improvement in quality also translates into an increase in phenolic compound concentration.

Moreover, scientific research has established links between soil microbial activity and fermentation processes, resulting in variations in the taste, aroma, and chemical composition of the wines produced. Thus, by promoting soil microbiota, cover crops could also positively influence wine quality.

9. The effect of cover crops depends on the species composing them

Different types of cover crops will have very different effect on vines. For this reason, the choice of cover crop species must be accurate :  winegrowers must take into account the wine production objectives, soil structure,  vigor, berry quality, etc. The most important factor for defining the species to be planted is the desired or acceptable competition level in a given plot or vineyard. The other elements then help to refine the choice of species.

The species that are the least competitive for grapevines are legumes and grasses. Their cycle ends in May, so they disappear during the summer season, which avoids any competition for water during the hottest periods.

Finally, the possibility of a natural, spontaneous grass cover should not be neglected. This is often the simplest (and least expensive) option. The species naturally growing in the plots are already adapted to their climate and soil structure. Moreover, they are easier to destroy a strip of  planted grass, which is a significant advantage in managing competition.

10. Cover crops can be managed using digital tools

Some winegrowers give up on the benefits of cover crops to avoid water competition, even though a controlled competition could be sustainable for grapevines.Indeed , cover crops can be now managed based on precise information concerning the water status of  plots.

In order to facilitate the water and nitrogen management of crops, ITK has developed a smart digital solution: Vintel. The Decision Support System (DSS) Vintel® helps to manage irrigation and nitrogen fertilization in real time according to vine water and nitrogen needs. This solution provides winegrowers with precise knowledge of the water and nitrogen status of the plots, for a better management of the vineyard

In addition, for regions where irrigation is possible, Vintel provides irrigation recommendations adapted to each plot and target wine profile, based on agro-environmental and artificial intelligence models. This allows yield optimization and managing berry quality, plot selection, water management, etc.

In short, with Vintel, you have a real-time view of the water and nitrogen status of your vines. Want to know more? Contact-us !

L’article 10 facts you should know about cover crops in vineyards est apparu en premier sur Vintel®.