The “Alberello” Training System: A Tradition That Continues to Be a Strategic Choice
The alberello (little tree) training system is a viticultural technique with deep roots in tradition that continues to prove a strategic choice today, especially in regions like Etna. But what makes this technique so special, and why has Famiglia Statella decided to adopt it in its vineyards? In this article, we will explore the benefits of this training system.
What is the Alberello Training System?
The alberello is a vine cultivation system that features a main trunk clearly visible with a canopy that grows upwards, resembling a small tree.
Compared to other systems, the alberello does not require artificial supports such as wires or poles. The plant develops autonomously, creating a structure that promotes ventilation and protects the grapes from intense summer sunlight.
The Benefits of the Alberello Training System
One of the main advantages of the alberello is its ability to protect the plant from adverse weather conditions, as it is a less expansive training system. In a region like Etna, where the climate can be very hot in the summer (but highly humid in the spring) and near harvest time, alberello vines manage to optimize water resources during the hottest periods of the season. This way, the grapes mature slowly and evenly.
The plant becomes more resilient, producing high-quality grapes even under water stress. During the humid parts of the year, the alberello system allows for better and more efficient air circulation, reducing humidity around the canopy and thereby limiting the risk of diseases like downy mildew and botrytis. The result? More balanced grapes, with better acidity and more intense aromas.
The Alberello Training System in Italy and around the world
The uniqueness of this system lies in its ability to help vines adapt perfectly to hot and dry climate conditions, typical of Sicily but not limited to it. In Sicily, the alberello system is widespread in the inland areas, such as in Marsala and the Trapani region. Even in other parts of Italy and the world, the alberello training system is a choice that guarantees resistance and quality: in Puglia, for instance, it is used for Primitivo, while in Sardinia, it is used for Cannonau.
Beyond Italy, the alberello method is also applied in some areas of Spain, such as the Andalusia region, and in Greece, particularly on the island of Santorini, where the vines grow protected from wind and drought in a nest-shaped system, allowing them to collect rain more easily and protect the bunches from the scorching sun.
The Alberello Training System at Famiglia Statella
The alberello training system is a choice that goes far beyond just an agronomic technique: it is a philosophy that embodies our approach to winemaking and our commitment to quality. This cultivation system allows the vines to grow in perfect harmony with the surrounding environment, thanks to the mineral-rich volcanic soil and the low yield, which imparts a unique complexity to the wines.
Thus, the alberello highlights the finer nuances of native varieties, giving our wine an elegant and complex structure, while preserving the freshness that characterizes the great wines of Etna.