In Riparbella, on the Tuscan coast, careful soil management and parcel-by-parcel vineyard work continue to guide the estate’s approach
October 12, 2026 (Riparbella, Italy) — Learning how to manage seasons marked by increasingly pronounced climatic contrasts is one of the key challenges shaping the work of Caiarossa, the estate located in Riparbella on the Tuscan coast. The 2026 harvest placed this capacity for adaptation at the forefront, built through meticulous soil care, close vineyard observation, and a deep understanding of the specific needs of each plot.
The growing season began with an exceptionally rainy winter, which helped replenish the soil’s water reserves. Warm temperatures in March and April encouraged early budbreak, followed by a more balanced period thanks to abundant rainfall in early May and a relatively cool first half of June. As summer arrived, temperatures rose rapidly, exceeding 37°C, while the lack of rainfall persisted through August.
“We must continue learning how to cope with seasons characterized by increasingly extreme climatic peaks. This requires constant observation and the ability to adapt our decisions to the needs of each vineyard,” says Francesco Villa, Technical Director of Caiarossa. “Vintages such as 2026 challenge us to keep learning and to continually adapt our work to the needs of the vines. Our goal is to draw valuable lessons from this experience and turn them into a strength for facing future seasons.”
Under these conditions, the water reserves accumulated during winter and spring played an important role in maintaining vineyard balance. Supporting this was the year-round work carried out in the vineyards: cover cropping, fertilization with estate-produced compost, and biodynamic practices all contribute to keeping soils alive and enhancing vine resilience. Vineyard operations were also carefully tailored to mitigate the effects of heat waves and the prolonged absence of rainfall.
Harvest began in August with the white grape varieties and continued through the end of September with the final red varieties. The individual management of 59 vineyard parcels and 10 grape varieties made it possible to closely monitor different ripening patterns and determine the ideal harvest date for each plot, preserving freshness, balance, and the expression of terroir.
Yields were slightly below average, but grape quality appears highly promising, with particularly positive results for Syrah and Merlot, the varieties that will be used in the production of Caiarossa IGT Toscana Rosso. It is in this wine that the work of Caiarossa finds its fullest expression: a wine born from the combination of the estate’s different varieties and parcels, aiming to convey both the identity of the territory and the distinctive character of each vintage.
ABOUT CAIAROSSA
The energy of nature gathers strength and shelter near the medieval village of Riparbella, on the Tuscan Coast. Lush vegetation, fruit trees, olive groves, vegetables and aromatic plants together paint the colours, aromas and wonder of a unique landscape: the very place where Caiarossa was born. By day, a magical light created by the sun’s reflection on the distant sea; by night, a vast star‑studded sky. The sense of enchantment is profound, embracing the winery itself, red like the earth’s core, set on the south‑west slope of the hill. It was in 2004 that Eric Albada Jelgersma decided to acquire an estate in this special corner of Italy, bringing with him the experience he had developed over the years in Bordeaux with Château Giscours, the renowned winery in the Margaux appellation. Eric Albada fell in love with this small yet beautiful estate, nestled in the Mediterranean scrub on the western side of a hill overlooking the sea. Today, his children Dennis, Derk and Valérie continue in their father’s footsteps, pursuing ever greater precision in the production of the wines, in a deep connection with the rhythms of nature, which is why the estate has followed the principles of biodynamic agriculture since its inception, with the aim of enhancing the vitality and resilience of the soil. The wines of Caiarossa are unique: refined blends that emerge from a balance between experimentation and harmony. A sense of equilibrium that offers a virtuous interpretation of the territory, through a French lens.
