(Montalcino, September 25th) Vintage 2009 started cool but with good water reserves from winter rain; July heat brought us up to speed with good, stable weather, and on Monday, August 24th, we started harvesting the first Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay, one week earlier than last year. During the second week of harvesting we picked the Sauvignon Blanc. The rainstorm that hit the area had no consequences on the grapes. Daytime temperatures remain high, with cool nights continuing to provide us with healthy and beautiful grapes. On September 14th, we started with Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese for the mono-varietals and Supertuscans, and this is still going on. The weather has been variable, alternating between light rainfalls l and clearing; it has not caused any problems at this point though, and the quality of the grapes remains high. and clearing; it has not caused any problems at this point though, and the quality of grapes remains high. We have not yet started with the Sangiovese for making Brunello. If the weather conditions remain stable with light and short rainfalls the quality of the grapes will remain high. It will probably be a long harvest with a good quality and quantity should be more or less aligned with the results of 2008.