The pursuit of quality, fundamental principal of the Banfi philosophy, also goes by the use of irrigation in the vineyard. In fact, water can be considered the greatest limiting factor.
Over the years, the estate went from the traditional sprinkling method irrigation to micro-irrigation, with a consequent water saving of almost 80%. By capturing the natural precipitation in reservoirs and the rational use of water resources, Banfi reduced to a minimum the withdrawal of water from the Orcia and Ombrone rivers, which are the natural borders to the south and the west.
Also thanks to the collaboration with experts and university professors, many studies of the geological and pedological variability of the soils, that compose the hill vineyards, were carried out, especially those of our estate. Climate variability also has to be taken into account, which determines the irrigation needs.
Furthermore, on the basis of the hydro-availability of the soils on which the vineyards are planted, the use of different combinations of grafts becomes necessary.
We carried out many tests on the vineyards that are planted on irregular soils, by means of various methods from Multiplex to satellite, so determining the vigor of the soil with extreme precision and consequently the need to intervene in a different way on each area.
This all lead us to the use of localized irrigation with variable flow rates.
