Golden Grapes administrator Dario Brucculeri reports that "what makes us stand out is the fact that we bag our table grape bunches."
Golden Grapes vineyards
Bunches are generally bagged in June, before grapevine moths lay their eggs, and bags are removed during harvesting between September and November. This way, grapes are protected against lepidoptera and other insects as well as from the weather.
Dario Brucculeri
"The company covers 45 hectares, 30 of which dedicated to table grape cultivation. We grow the Italia and Red Globe varieties as well as seedless grapes on over 10 ha (Centennial seedless, Crimson, Regal, Autumn Royal, King Ruby, Pink Muscat). Some time ago, we also introduced the Apulia and Luisa varieties (7 hectares)."
Bagged grapes
The markets of reference are France, Germany and Holland and the main commercialization channels are organic and biodynamic shops (the company holds the Demeter certification since 1997) as well as dedicated retail sections.
State-of-the-art and sustainable agronomic practices
"We need a lot of labor with this type of solution, though we do manage to make our product really sustainable. We care about our soil a lot and therefore practice grassing all over the company property. The grass is then cut and buried to increase the organic matter content that fertilizes the soil."
"When it comes to harmful insects, we use the sexual confusion technique as well as a bit of sulfur and copper to contain cryptogams. All operations such as pruning etc. are performed by skilled operators. This way, we can obtain great quality productions."
Video interview with Dario Brucculeri
"We also grow Lolita and Maycrest peaches, which ripen in June, and Flaminia, Fairtime and O'Henry peaches harvested in mid-August. There there are also Coscia pears (a typically Sicilian summer variety) and Sweet Early and Early Star cherries."
The current season
"The produce is good, although the hot weather did affect yields. Commercialization started a few weeks ago with satisfactory prices and we are hoping things will continue like this."
A challenge that has already been won
Golden Grapes holds the patent for the commercialization of grapes in the bag where they were grown.
"The idea is to sell grapes directly in the bag where they grew. It's a way of communicating the high-quality of our productions to final consumers as well as a way of sharing our growing method. Consumers will be the first to open a bag that enclosed the fruit for months. The product is untreated and not contaminated by foreign agents. We are working on a clear bag that enables consumers to see the product inside it."
Above and below: Golden Grapes is now also an agriturismo thanks to Foresteria Golden Grapes.
Contacts:
Golden Grapes
Sede operativa: c/da Pernice 
92028 - Naro (AG)
Tel.: +39 3482268105
Email: info@goldengrape.it
Website: www.goldengrapes.it