Yes. Folini Family Farm in Chiuro, in the province of Sondrio, opens up its vineyards for anyone who wants to give it a go, including children, schools and groups. We went to Dos Bel, and for us it was the V of Vendemmia.
V for vendemmia, V for vineyard, V for Valtellina.
For 2026, the season is almost over. But this is an experience worth putting on your calendar now, for next year.
A day in the vineyard at Dos Bel
We were three: me, Sara and Alessio. Of course, as well as Francesco’s team. Dos Bel is one of the vineyards owned by the farm. To welcome us, the Folini family: Francesco, the young man behind the business, his dad Renato and his mum Florinda.
The first thing you notice is the ground. Far from flat. In the plains, the harvest is one thing; here, it’s another. We even struggled just to stand our ground.
Three Vs in one day
V for vendemmia, because you pick by hand, bunch by bunch.
V for vineyard, because you work on steep terraces, where you reach each row on foot.
V for Valtellina, because this is where we lived it.
How to harvest in Valtellina: by hand, where machinery can’t get through
The work is meticulous. You cut the bunches and clean them of dry, damaged grapes, one by one. The cleaner the grapes arrive at the winery, the better the wine will be. Quality is decided in the vineyard, with your hands.
There are a few tricks you learn on the job. For example, the bucket needs to be rested against a vine post; otherwise, on a slope, it’ll tip over. In some areas, a small motorised platform helps. The rest of the time, you go on foot, because the rows can’t be reached by vehicles.
Clean grapes end up in crates on the tractors and then head off to the farm.
From vineyard to cellar: foot-treading the grapes
On site, the grapes are trodden and then put into barrels. They let us try the foot-treading ourselves.
The must was measured straight away for its sugar level. With our feet, we produced sugars for almost 23 degrees. What will come of it, and when, we still don’t know. We had a great time.
Harvesting for children, schools and groups
This is the part that’s close to Francesco’s heart. At the Folini harvest, lots of children take part too—alongside schools and various groups. And they have a fantastic time.
You should know that the educational farm follows the vines all year round, from pruning to harvest, and primary and secondary schools can organise projects with the teachers. The aim is to help the kids understand the vineyard worker’s job, the vine’s life cycle, and how grapes turn into wine.
If you have a class, a group or a family with curious children, it’s best to think about it in good time.
How to book the Folini harvest
Harvest happens once a year. If you want to try it, you need to organise ahead of time.
For the harvest, it’s a good idea to contact the farm directly in advance, so you can find out the dates and how everything works. The other experiences (cooking class with pizzoccheri, guided tours in the vineyards, tastings) are booked online via the website.
At the table with real harvesters
Folini Family Farm is also an agriturismo. On harvest day, the kitchen served the workers and helpers—prepared by dad Renato: absolutely brilliant pizzoccheri “scarellati” cooked by him, which we didn’t eat reluctantly…oh no!!! And then there was taroz, oven-baked potatoes, roast beef, the local panun… Proper home cooking, in a totally family-style setting that makes you feel at home.
An atmosphere that’s hard to describe…you just have to try it!
Outside harvest days, the agriturismo is open by reservation.
Francesco’s wines: Dos Bel, Caterina and the awarded Sforzato
Francesco produces various wine labels.
At the table, we tasted Dos Bel, the wine from the vineyard where we went to harvest (the bottled one, not this year’s).
There’s also a Riserva called Caterina, dedicated to Francesco’s grandmother. A woman of almost 105 years who still lives alone in the house where the farm and agriturismo are based, joins in at lunches and lends a hand. A force of nature.
Among the farm’s labels, there’s also the Sforzato di Valtellina 2019 Folini. In 2024, it received the title of World’s Best Wine at the Frankfurt International Trophy, with the Grand Gold.
Folini Valtellina: where to find them
Folini Family Farm is family-run and oversees every step, from the vineyard to the bottle. It has 9 hectares split across 30 plots. The grapes are vinified in the Chiuro cellar and matured in the barrel room in the medieval historic centre of the town.
Alongside the cellar, there are the agriturismo, the educational farm, and experiences at the cellar. The wines can also be bought in the online shop.
📍 Via Stazione 2, Chiuro (SO)
📞 +39 340 0955803
✉️ info@folinivaltellina.it
Follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
What to know about the Folini harvest
Can children take part?
Yes. Lots of children take part, with schools and with various groups.
Do you need experience to harvest?
No. You learn on the job, with the Folini family’s tips and tricks. The ground is steep and you work by hand.
How do you book?
For the harvest, it’s best to contact the farm directly in advance. The other experiences are booked online via folinivaltellina.com.
What award has Folini won?
The Sforzato di Valtellina 2019 Folini received the title of World’s Best Wine at the Frankfurt International Trophy, with the Grand Gold, in 2024.
We’re talking about it in video too
“V for Vendemmia” is the star of the 12th episode of Tra Radici e Segreti, the video series featuring a collaboration between Calendario Valtellinese and Waltella Vibes.
If you want to watch the reel again, you can find it on our YouTube profile.
