Marco Simonit
Italy
Marco is a viticultural adviser, author and co-founder (with his friend Pierpaolo Sirch) of Simonit & Sirch pruning consultancy. He is revolutionising pruning to keep vines healthy and productive for longer. Pruning is emerging from the wine back-stage, as producers confront increased rates of vine trunk diseases, and realise the value of old vine heritage. Marco contends that modern pruning methods such as VSP increase the vulnerability of vines to disease, and needlessly shorten their lives. His method is informed by a technical but holistic approach to vine physiology and sap flow. He has reformed the pruning methods of the likes of Gaja and Frescobaldi in Italy, and a 20-strong team implement and teach the Simonit & Sirch pruning method to leading producers all over the world who want to strengthen vine health and heritage.
