Merenda sinoira at Tenuta Montemagno

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A Piedmontese tradition to rediscover among vineyards, local flavours and the timeless charm of the Monferrato hills.

Some traditions tell the story of a place better than words ever could. Merenda sinoira is one of them: a convivial ritual deeply rooted in Piedmont, born in the countryside as a moment of pause at the end of the working day.

In the late afternoon, people would gather around the table with whatever the kitchen had to offer: bread, cured meats, cheeses, frittatas, vegetables, carpione specialities and, of course, wine. Simple yet substantial dishes, shared informally and enjoyed slowly, often until evening.

More generous than a snack and more spontaneous than dinner, merenda sinoira still preserves the pleasure of coming together and, in many ways, anticipates the spirit of the Piedmontese aperitivo.

The journey begins aboard a 1980s Fiat Panda

At Tenuta Montemagno, merenda sinoira takes on a character all its own.

Before reaching the table, the experience begins on the roads of Monferrato Astigiano, aboard a 1980s Fiat Panda tied to the family’s history and now reimagined to accompany guests through the hills surrounding the estate. More than a vintage car, it is a fragment of memory brought back to life among vineyards, rows of vines and views over Montemagno.

Accompanied by an expert guide, the journey unfolds at a leisurely pace, allowing the scents, colours and quiet of the countryside to lead naturally towards the merenda sinoira.

The route eventually reaches the vineyards, where a table is set beneath the shade of a tree, in a secluded corner immersed in nature.

Here, the tradition comes to life through a selection of Piedmontese flavours: local cured meats and cheeses, friciulin, Russian salad, carpione specialities and freshly baked focaccia, accompanied by three glasses of Tenuta Montemagno wines per person, selected to enhance the flavours and create a direct connection with the surrounding vineyards.

A moment to enjoy without rushing, which at sunset can naturally turn into an aperitivo and offer, through food, landscape and conviviality, one of the most authentic ways to experience Monferrato.

Harvest 2026 at Tenuta Montemagno

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From climate to harvest, the story of a vintage taking shape among the vineyards of Tenuta Montemagno.

Harvest is the moment when an entire year of work begins to take shape. Picking the grapes, however, is only the final stage of months of observation, decisions and continuous adjustments, during which every choice accompanies the development of the vines and the grapes.

Each vintage follows its own rhythm, shaped by climate, terroir and the characteristics of the individual grape varieties. In 2026, this was particularly evident, requiring constant attention and a careful reading of what was happening in the vineyard.

Harvest 2026: an exceptional summer

The summer just ended was the hottest in Italy since 1950, surpassing the previous record set in 2003. According to analyses by the CNR, several waves of African heat affected the country from June through early September.

In the Monferrato Astigiano, where the vineyards of Tenuta Montemagno are located, prolonged heat and reduced water availability accompanied the development and ripening of the grapes, making close observation of the vines even more important.

Every vineyard has its own rhythm

Tenuta Montemagno grows several grape varieties that reflect the winemaking identity of the area: Ruchè, Barbera, Grignolino, Timorasso, Sauvignon and Syrah.

Each has its own ripening times and dynamics. For this reason, harvest does not follow a fixed date, but is guided by careful observation of the grapes and an assessment of their development.

In a vintage such as 2026, marked by high temperatures and below-average rainfall during part of the summer, this attention becomes even more important. Vineyard work also means understanding how each variety responds to seasonal conditions, preserving its balance and distinctive character.

From the vineyard to the cellar: the 2026 vintage begins to take shape

As harvest progresses, the work gradually moves from the vineyard to the cellar.

This is where the journey begins that will transform the grapes of the 2026 harvest into the new wines of Tenuta Montemagno. Each variety will follow its own timing and winemaking process, respecting the characteristics developed throughout the season and the identity of Monferrato.

In September, it is still too early to define the vintage in full. Vinification and, later, ageing will reveal how freshness, structure, balance and varietal character will be expressed in the different wines.

A new harvest, the same dedication

Every harvest tells a different story.

Climate, ripening times and the response of each grape variety may change from one year to the next. What remains constant is the attention devoted to the vineyards and the ability to interpret their evolution, season after season.

As the 2026 harvest continues at Tenuta Montemagno, every bunch of grapes picked becomes a meeting point between the work carried out over the previous months and the work that will continue in the cellar.

This is where the journey of the new vintage begins.