Wine and the Stars: How Ancient Astrologers Chose the Perfect Time for the Grape Harvest
In ancient times, the connection between the cultivation of the vine and the stars was considered sacred. Ancient astrologers believed that the stars and the phases of the moon profoundly influenced the quality of the grapes and, consequently, of the wine. In particular, the harvest was planned according to the position of the moon and other celestial bodies, believing that a harvest carried out under the influence of a waxing moon could guarantee a more robust and long-lived wine. The phases of the new moon and the full moon were also carefully observed: the first was associated with fertility and abundance, the second with fullness and maturation.
This ancient astrological wisdom, although not strictly followed today, has left a legacy in the winemaking traditions of many Italian regions, where some winemakers continue to consider the phases of the moon in the calendar of cellar activities. This fusion of science, spirituality and agriculture reminds us that wine, in the past, was not just a drink, but a symbol of connection between the earth and the cosmos.
