Harvest 2026 in Valtènesi: a special vintage among the vineyards of Lake Garda

September in Valtènesi has a charm all of its own.

The days slowly begin to grow shorter, the light changes, summer gives way to the first scents of autumn and, among the hills surrounding Lake Garda, the grape harvest reaches its most exciting stage.

It is one of the most exciting moments of the year on our estate: the time when months of work, care and anticipation come together in each bunch of grapes and begin their journey towards becoming wine.

And the 2026 harvest is one we will remember.

A truly special harvest 🍇

This year, nature surprised us.

The summer of 2026 was particularly hot, and the high temperatures led our grapes to ripen more quickly than in previous years.

As a result, the harvest began exceptionally early, around ten days ahead of the usual schedule.

As always, this decision was guided by careful observation of nature. Every vineyard has its own rhythm, and every bunch is monitored until the ideal moment for picking, in order to preserve its freshness, balance, aromas and quality.

For us, making wine means exactly this: listening to the land and accompanying it, without forcing it.

The moment when a year of work takes shape

The harvest is the culmination of an entire year spent among the vines.

There are crates gradually filling with grapes, hands carefully selecting each bunch, the constant movement between vineyard and Cellar, and that unmistakable scent of freshly picked grapes and must that fills the estate at this time of year.

It is the moment when everything changes.

What only a few hours earlier was still growing in the vineyard arrives in the Cellar and slowly begins its transformation.

Our land, the seasons and the gestures of everyday life now begin to become the wine that will one day reach your glass.

And perhaps this is one of the most fascinating aspects of the harvest: knowing that every bottle will forever preserve a small story of this summer, these days and this unique vintage.

From vineyard to Cellar: craftsmanship and attention to detail

Every harvest is different, and this is precisely why it requires sensitivity, experience and great care.

Our philosophy remains the same: craftsmanship, innovation and respect for biodiversity, with the aim of interpreting Valtènesi in the most authentic way possible.

Selection in the vineyard is one of the fundamental stages of this process.

Picking at the right moment, observing the grapes’ level of ripeness and selecting them with care means laying the foundations for wines capable of expressing balance, elegance and identity.

The harvest, therefore, is much more than simply picking grapes.

It is made up of daily decisions, small gestures and plenty of patience.

Grape harvest in Valtènesi on Lake Garda

Experiencing Valtènesi in September means discovering the area at one of its most authentic times of year.

The vineyards are still green, but the first autumn shades are already beginning to appear here and there. Temperatures become more pleasant, the late-afternoon light grows softer, and the scent of must drifts from the Cellar.

It is an atmosphere that is difficult to fully describe: it has to be experienced.

Walking through our estate, among vineyards, olive groves and the spaces surrounding the historic farmhouse, you can witness up close that special moment when the work in the countryside meets the work in the Cellar.

And this is exactly why September and October are among our favourite months to welcome you to Lake Garda.

Experience the harvest through our Wine Experiences

For us, the harvest should not remain something that happens only behind the doors of the Cellar.

We love sharing its atmosphere with those who come to visit us.

At our Osteria Wine Bar and throughout the Conti Thun estate, a whole world of Wine Experiences awaits you, designed to help you discover wine, Valtènesi and our way of experiencing this special land.

Wine Tours and guided tastings allow you to step into the heart of the Cellar and discover more about the journey from grape to glass.

But you can also enjoy picnics among the vines, sunset aperitifs, brunches, vineyard-view lunches, gourmet dinners, live music evenings and special events.

Different experiences, united by the same desire: to help you slow down for a few hours and experience the Lake Garda countryside through its scents, flavours and rhythms.

Harvest Dinner & Sax: our experience dedicated to the most exciting moment of the year

And if there is one experience that captures this time of year more than any other, it is our Harvest Dinner & Sax.

An evening created to celebrate the moment when the grapes leave the vineyard and begin their journey towards becoming wine.

The experience begins among the vines, immersed in the atmosphere of the harvest, before moving to the table for an evening of authentic flavours, wines from our Cellar, conviviality and music.

A wonderful way to experience one of the oldest and most fascinating traditions of the wine world up close and turn it into a memory to take home with you.

The Harvest Dinner is our invitation to step, even if only for one evening, into the heart of the season that represents us most. 🍇

September and October: the perfect time to discover Lake Garda

When the height of summer comes to an end, Lake Garda reveals a different side of itself.

Temperatures become milder, the pace grows more relaxed and the hills of Valtènesi slowly begin to take on the colours of the new season.

It is the ideal time not only to visit a winery, but also to explore the surrounding area: walks among vineyards and olive groves, hiking trails, e-bike routes and charming villages around Lake Garda.

And after a day spent outdoors, returning to the estate while work on the new vintage continues in the Cellar gives these autumn days an even more special charm.

Experience the harvest at our Wine Resort, at your own pace

Waking up among the vineyards while the harvest is taking place all around you means naturally becoming part of the atmosphere of this special season: the Cellar is buzzing with activity, the scent of must fills the air, and the countryside reveals one of its most authentic moments.

September and October are wonderful months to experience Lake Garda: the days become more peaceful, the colours begin to change and Valtènesi offers an intimate and enchanting atmosphere.

It is the perfect time to enjoy a few days surrounded by wine, nature and relaxation, moments of wellbeing and culinary experiences, following the slower rhythm of autumn.

A stay at our Wine Resort allows you to experience the harvest without rushing: waking up surrounded by vineyards, joining a Wine Experience, tasting our wines, relaxing and then returning to that unmistakable scent of must that makes the estate even more special at this time of year.

On our website you will always find the best rates and packages dedicated to autumn stays.

A vintage we will remember

Every harvest leaves behind a different memory.

The 2026 vintage will carry with it the memory of a particularly hot summer, an earlier ripening season and a harvest that began ahead of the usual schedule.

Above all, however, it will once again tell the story of the bond between our work and this land.

Now a new phase begins in the Cellar, made up of fermentation, patience and transformation.

It will take time before we can fully discover everything this harvest has to tell us.

For now, however, we can already enjoy the most exciting part: the scent of must, the bustle of the Cellar and that unique feeling in the air when a new vintage is being born.

We look forward to welcoming you to Valtènesi to experience it with us. 🍇🍷