The heat is burning the vineyards, the mayor of Menfi is requesting a state of emergency.

Last Updated: July 24, 2023

#Agrigento
The recognition of a state of natural disaster due to the damage to vineyards caused by the heat waves in recent days has been requested by the mayor of Menfi (Agrigento) Vito Clemente to the Sicilian Region. Menfi, named City of Wine 2023, is the home of the historic Settesoli Winery, which represents the largest vineyard in Europe with 6,000 cultivated hectares. Some inspections carried out by technicians from the municipality, the Region, and Settesoli itself in the countryside of Menfi have confirmed that the extremely high temperatures, reaching up to 45 degrees, have completely burned the leaves of numerous plants, causing the drying out of the clusters. “A large part of the current viticultural production has been irreversibly compromised,” says Clemente. “This climatic situation is still ongoing,” he adds, “and the damage caused adds to those already reported to the regional councilor for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Mediterranean Fisheries, Luca Sammartino, due to downy mildew. (ANSA).”