Legatura ai salci - Tying down with willow

At Monte Bernardi in Panzano, Chianti, they use an old-school method of tying down the canes. I spent my first few days in Tuscany learning legatura ai salci from the fabulous, hilarious Rosanna Scortichini. Rosanna learned the technique as a child from her Nonna, who used it in her work across vineyards, olives, and fruit orchards. She's taught everyone at Monte Bernardi, including the owner/viticoltore.

Once i got the hang of it, it was a very satisfying and enjoyable task. And just like wine, work is best with good company; Rosanna doesn't speak English and my Italian was only ever used over a decade ago in a classroom setting, but we hit it off right away. There was lots of speaking slowly (for an Italian) on her part, unconjugated verbs and misgendered nouns on my part, talking with our hands, interpretive dance, laughter, and goodbye hugs.

I was 2 hours into intensely concentrating on tying knots before I looked up to see the magical fairytale land I was standing in.  My only complaint about Chianti is that I haven't seen any live roosters yet (the mascot they have branded on every Classico bottle, it's false marketing, friends)

Grazie mille, bravissima professoressa @rosannascortichini

Thank you @chateaugaragenz and @becmosieposie for connecting me to the people at this incredible place.