Effective treatments on alternate row vineyard

Azienda Agricola Casa di Monte, in Montespertoli, Florence, was founded in 1912 when Angelo Oreste Simoncini, bought 10 hectares of land to start a vine and olive production business.

But it is not until 2000 when the real ‘Casa di Monte farm, as we know it today, with its own brand that distinguishes the products and thefarmhouse.

In 2002 the company acquired 21 hectares of land in “Le Capitozze” in the municipality of S. Casciano Val di Pesa, an area of production of Chianti Classico Docg wine.

To date, the farm consists of a total of 80 hectares of owned land of which 35 hectares, 5 are vineyards for the production of red and white wines and 7 hectares of specialized olive groves for the production of extra virgin olive oil.

For treatments, the farm has been choosing Martignani sprayers for more than 30 years, and now we’ll see why.

We spoke with Marco Simoncini, the current owner of the company and grandson of the founder.

The first Martignani sprayer was purchased in 1985.”

– Farm name, area and number of hectares

Casa di Monte farm, Tuscany, Municipalities of Montespertoli and San Casciano in Val di Pesa.

40 hectares.

– Martignani sprayer model(s) using

The company is equipped with 2 Martignani M612 sprayers with 1000-liter tanks

– How many years have you been using our sprayers

The first Martignani sprayer was purchased in 1985;

– As for treatments, can you tell us how many you make during the season?

During the year we do an average of 12 treatments;

– Conventional or organic or biodynamic regime

The ‘company adopts guided control methods;

– Spray volume used during the season.

The volume of ‘water used at the beginning of the season is 100 lt/ha while at the end of the season it is 120-130 lt/ha;

– Treatment in alternate rows?

Yes, all treatments are given in alternate rows even for anti-botritic treatments;

– Use of rock powders (Zeolite, Kaolin, Basalt Flour).

No rock dust is used;

Also related to this topic, in recent years there have been changes in climate that certainly do not help. Rapidly changing weather conditions and sudden even heavy rainfall represent an increased risk of disease occurrence and the appearance of the first symptoms (or spots) on the leaflets.

– Can you confirm that this is the case? If so, how are you addressing the problem at the prevention level?

The climate changes that have occurred in recent years do not help in the fight against downy mildew. The ‘company tries to prevent the problem with the timeliness of treatments, with the two machines we have we manage to treat in one day the 40 hectares of vineyard and thus obtain the necessary dye coverage in a very short time;

– With the use of Martignani sprayers, time, product, water and diesel fuel can be saved. Thanks to the low volume and electrostatic charge. Was this also the case in your case?

The choice the company has made for 30 years now to buy sprayers from Martignani is because there is a real savings in water and products due to the low volume and electrostatic charge and at the same time labor and diesel fuel.

We thank Marco Simoncini, ofCasa di Monte Farm, for his willingness and trust in Martignani technology.