Harvesting at night during the artist's event allows for better preservation of the aromatic grapes, as the berry reacts to thermal stress by swelling during the day and shrinking at night, so it is best to harvest and transport them to the winery at night. Emilio Ferro has placed 600 light points to illuminate the vineyard, with an efficient geometry that creates a luminous island on the hill reminiscent of ancient rituals.
Description of project by Emilio Ferro
23 September 2022, Emilio Ferro's site-specific installation, Terlo Night Harvest, once again illuminates the entire Terlo vineyard of the Astemia Pentita winery in Barolo. Newly this year, on the occasion of the grape harvest, the hill, the vineyard and the workers give life to a bucolic nocturnal dream.
The project follows the life cycle of nature and it is for this reason that the official date is only announced a few days in advance, as it is necessary to wait until the grapes are perfectly ripe. An extreme gesture of care and respect for nature's timing, a reference to peasant wisdom, to allow the fruit's full potential to be harvested.
The night-time harvesting that takes place during the event allows greater preservation of the aromatic grapes as the berry reacts to thermal stress by swelling during the day and retracting at night, collecting and concentrating the odorous compounds that make the skin more elastic and therefore the bunch more manageable. Thus, when transported to the cellar, the berries run less risk of breakage and early fermentation and the quality of the wine is not compromised.
The 600 lighting points of the installation enhance the rows of vines otherwise shrouded in darkness and the regular geometry of the cultivated hillside, creating a luminous and suspended island, recalling the charm of ancient rituals and celebrating the poetry of small things.
