In our vineyard, the earth plays music: the plants transform their energy into 
music, and we follow the slow rhythm of the 
seasons, waiting for the right moment for each note to become 
wine.
In our vineyard, the earth plays music: the plants transform their energy into music, and we follow the slow rhythm of the seasons, waiting for the right moment for each note to become wine.
In our vineyard, the earth plays music: the plants transform their energy into music, and we follow the slow rhythm of the seasons, waiting for the right moment for each note to become wine.
Every screw has a voice, imperceptible to the naked ear but constant over time.
A language made up of micro-vibrations, pulsations and silences flows through its fibres, telling the story of the plant's inner life. Variations in temperature, light and humidity translate into differences in flow, and the flow becomes sound: frequencies that rise and fall in time with the rhythm of the seasons.
Listening to the vine means reading its physiological state, but also understanding the invisible relationship between natural time and human intervention. In its annual cycle, the plant alternates between growth spurts and pauses, intensity and rest, and each phase corresponds to a tone, a pattern, a sound tension.
It is from these traces that our interpretation arises: a way to restore the vine's voice and, with it, the meaning of the work that accompanies it.
The sound data was collected using a Plants Play device between March 2024 and February 2025 – reference vineyard: Nero d'Avola.
Vegetative growth
After the silence of winter, the vine awakens. The air becomes milder, the sap begins to flow again and the first buds seek the light.
This is the physiological reactivation phase: buds open, new leaves form and photosynthetic activity increases. Water absorption increases, the xylem vessels resume their constant flow of nutrients and the plant builds its green structures, preparing the foundations for the production cycle.
- LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF THE PLANT
A deep breath passes through the wood, like water returning to learn its way. The sound moves slowly, pulsing at times, as the sap rises and fills the branches. Nothing tears, nothing stumbles: it flows, sustains, builds. It is a low, continuous hum, a silent vibration that accompanies the vine in its awakening.
VIEW THE FREQUENCY CHART
Dominant bands:
GROWTH: 0–200 Hz, low, irregular pulsations. Post-winter xylem reactivation, sap rise and first pressure variations in shoots.
SPRINGING: 150–600 Hz, more regular rhythm, periodic modulations. Bud burst and intense cell division; stable flows towards tender tissues.
FIRST LEAF EXPANSION: 400–1000 Hz, continuous signal, constant amplitude. Active photosynthesis and consolidated hydraulic network; synchronised water/nutrient transport.
Sound signature: continuous and regular low-frequency pattern, stable amplitude, soft and constant peaks. Absence of impulsive or irregular components.
At the beginning of spring, the vine begins to stir once more: sap rises, shoots swell, buds open. This is the moment when the plant re-enters its life cycle, transforming the energy stored in the wood into new green matter.
From an acoustic point of view, this stage generates dominant bands between 0 and 300 Hz, with regular and continuous oscillations. The low frequencies reflect the constancy of hydraulic movement in the xylem and the full conductivity of the plant channels.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS STAGE
This phase includes weeping, budding and the first leaf expansion. After root awakening, xylem pressure pushes raw sap towards the shoots, causing the characteristic “weeping” of the vine, which marks the reactivation of water circulation. This is followed by budding, with intense meristematic activity and rapid elongation of young tissues, accompanied by high energy consumption and an acceleration of lymphatic flows.
March / April / May
With the arrival of spring, temperatures in the vineyard begin to rise gradually from 13–15 °C in March to over 20 °C in May. Residual winter rainfall still ensures a good water supply to the soil, while average humidity remains between 60% and 70%. The moderate but constant wind helps to aerate the canopy and dry the soil after showers.
This is when the vine awakens, and this movement is accompanied by green pruning, tying and vigour control. The soil is lightly tilled to promote root respiration.
VIEW THE CLIMATE TREND CHART
Data source: WeatherSpark - AVERAGE VALUES
Temperature
March: 11°C
April: 14°C
May: 17°C
Wind
March: 16.2 km/h
April: 15.6 km/h
May: 13.7 km/h
Precipitation
March: 35 mm
April: 25 mm
May: 13 mm
Humidity
(relative comfort level)
March: 0%
April: 0%
May: 5%
Influence of climate on detected frequencies
The climate, still mild and not excessively dry, helps lymphatic restart: the internal water flow, also perceptible acoustically in the lower frequencies (0–300 Hz), reflects a plant in full vegetative growth.
Flowering
The vine enters its flowering period, when every internal movement is dedicated to the completion of the fruit.
In this phase, the plant redistributes energy and water to the inflorescences: the flowers open, pollination takes place and metabolic activity intensifies. The balance between photosynthesis and transpiration becomes dynamic, and lymphatic flows fluctuate rapidly to support the formation of the bunches.
- LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF THE PLANT
VIEW THE FREQUENCY CHART
Dominant bands:
PRE-FLOWERING: 300–700 Hz (residuals <300 Hz), stable flow, low impulsivity. Progressive reallocation of resources to developing racemes.
FULL FLOWERING: 300–1500 Hz, alternating small accelerations and pauses. Maximum transport of sugars and phytohormones; pollination and fertilisation in progress.
INITIAL SETTING: 600–1500 Hz, uniform profile, less variability. Post-flowering stabilisation; young berries become the main metabolic sink.
Sound signature: medium-low rhythmic fluctuations, intermittent pulsations and rapid variations in amplitude, indicative of a constantly adjusting metabolism.
When the vineyard blossoms, the flowers open, the pollen is released and fertilises, and the plant reorients its flows: sugars flow in the phloem towards the racemes, the stomata rapidly modulate transpiration, and phytohormones (auxins, gibberellins) regulate fruit set.
Acoustically, the plant shows intense metabolic activity, with medium-low signals (300–1000 Hz) with dynamic variations that reflect the rapid energy exchanges of reproductive tissues: the signal becomes irregular, symbolising strong electrophysiological instability and rapidly changing hormonal regulation.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS STAGE
During flowering, the vine enters its reproductive phase: hermaphroditic flowers form and open, meiosis is completed, and autogamous pollination occurs. At a physiological level, the plant reallocates resources: sugars and phytohormones (particularly auxins and gibberellins) concentrate in the racemes. Stomatal activity increases and the flows in the phloem, responsible for transporting nutrients, intensify.
End of May / June
The days get longer and the average temperature rises to around 25 °C. Rainfall decreases and humidity drops to around 50–60 %. Southerly winds become drier and more regular, reducing the risk of water stagnation. Solar radiation reaches its annual peak, with over 14 hours of daylight.
During flowering, attention is focused on water balance and plant protection. Any stress that could compromise fruit set is avoided. Every intervention is measured: passage between rows is limited, water stress is avoided, and protection from stagnant humidity is provided, monitoring diseases and balancing water and nutrients.
VIEW THE CLIMATE TREND CHART
Data source: WeatherSpark - AVERAGE VALUES
Temperature
May/
June: 21 °C
Wind
May/
June: 11.9 km/h
Precipitation
May/
June: 7%
Humidity
(relative comfort level)
May: 5%
June: 17%
Influence of climate on detected frequencies
Dry heat and prolonged light generate more lively and variable frequencies (300–1000 Hz), due to rapid pressure changes in the vessels. The sound of the flowering plant is irregular and pulsed, an acoustic reflection of a flexible and active physiology.
Ripening
The green gives way to colour, and the grapes slowly transform into reserves of sugar and aroma.
The vine slows down its vegetative growth and concentrates its resources on the fruit. Phloem transport becomes predominant: sugars and organic compounds are pushed towards the bunches, while transpiration is regulated according to the climate. It is a phase of refined balance, in which the metabolism works to optimise the quality of the harvest.
- LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF THE PLANT
VIEW THE FREQUENCY CHART
Dominant bands: 1000–5000 Hz, with secondary presence below 1000 Hz.
Sound signature: balanced energy distribution between low and mid bands, stable but less regular amplitude, reflecting more viscous and modulated water activity.
With the heat of summer, the vine changes pace: it becomes slower, more concentrated. The berries ripen, the sap thickens, and everything in the plant seems regular and measured.
The sound of the vine becomes more balanced: medium and medium-low frequencies (1000 and 5000 Hz) predominate, a sign of a metabolism that stabilises in balancing lymphatic flows and the accumulation of substances in the fruit. The greater complexity of the sound reflects the rhythmic variability of sugar transport and the micro-variations in internal pressure typical of a mature but still active physiology.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS STAGE
This phase begins with veraison: the berries turn from green to red, the skin stretches and the endocarp cells accumulate sugars, anthocyanins and aromas. The sap, which is denser and sweeter, slows down its flow in the phloem, while leaf transpiration decreases. The hydraulic pathways are remodelled, and a balance between cell turgor and enzymatic activity in the fruit can be observed.
July / August
Summer is hot and dry: maximum temperatures often exceed 30 °C, with almost no rainfall. Humidity drops below 50%, and the wind, which is weaker, brings with it the heat of the south-east. The nights remain warm, but the temperature range begins to increase, preparing the conditions for veraison.
This is the season for patience and control. Emergency irrigation is adjusted (where applicable), the canopy is managed to protect the bunches from direct sunlight, and sugar and phenolic ripening are monitored.
VIEW THE CLIMATE TREND CHART
Data source: WeatherSpark - AVERAGE VALUES
Temperature
July: 24°C
August: 25°C
Wind
July: 11.3 km/h
August: 11.2 km/h
Precipitation
July: 2 mm
August: 7 mm
Humidity
(relative comfort level)
July: 45%
August: 65%
Influence of climate on detected frequencies
Dry heat induces water stress and a reduction in constant flows. Intermediate frequencies (1–5 kHz) are observed, which are denser and more modulating, typical of a metabolism that works cautiously to maintain balance and protect the fruit from dehydration.
Harvest
The season ends and the vine becomes lighter. After the harvest, internal flows slow down, the tissues lignify and the plant gradually reduces its activity.
The hydraulic system undergoes pressure variations and cavitation phenomena due to water loss. This is the phase in which the plant transfers its last resources to the roots and prepares for rest, closing the annual cycle.
- LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF THE PLANT
VIEW THE FREQUENCY CHART
Dominant bands:
PRE-HARVEST: H 5–10 kHz increasing, weak L/F, moderate discontinuities, sporadic transients. Onset of senescence, first cavitation events and reduction in flows.
CUTTING: Marked H and U (>5 kHz and >10 kHz), sharp pulses, repeated spikes. Mechanical stress from harvesting/pruning; temporary collapse of xylem micro-channels.
POST-HARVEST: H sparse, U episodic; L very low, rare pulses, long intervals of quiet. Emptying of channels and consolidation of lignification; minimal residual hydraulic activity.
Sound signature: sharp, isolated peaks with sudden high-frequency bursts; uneven pattern, often interrupted by pauses or micro-pulses.
With the harvest, the vine becomes lighter: it gives back its fruit and begins to retreat. It is a transitional phase, in which the strength accumulated during the year is redistributed and the plant prepares for rest.
Acoustically, high bands (5000–10000 Hz and above) emerge, with discontinuous peaks and sharp pulses. These signals correspond to water and mechanical stress events: collapse of lymphatic channels, pruning cuts or leaf detachment.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS STAGE
At this stage, ripening is complete and the plant begins to lignify its shoots. The leaves lose their photosynthetic activity, the xylem channels partially empty and cavitation and embolism phenomena increase: microbubbles of air that interrupt the flow of water. After harvesting, the vine redistributes its remaining reserves to the roots and begins the controlled degradation of green tissues.
September / October
The climate remains mild, with temperatures around 25 °C and a gradual increase in humidity. The first irregular rains return and the winds change direction, bringing cooler air from the inland hills. The days grow shorter, the light becomes oblique and the soil begins to retain more moisture.
It is harvest time, the culminating moment of the agricultural year. The fruits are picked at the exact point of balance between sugar and acidity, and the plant begins its slow disarmament. Physiologically, the lymphatic channels partially empty: spectrograms show sharper and more discontinuous peaks, signs of microstress from cutting and transition to dormancy. The winegrower reduces interventions and prepares the soil for winter.
VIEW THE CLIMATE TREND CHART
Data source: WeatherSpark - AVERAGE VALUES
Temperature
September: 22°C
October: 19°C
Wind
September: 12.4 km/h
October: 13.3 km/h
Precipitation
September: 35 mm
October: 50 mm
Humidity
(relative comfort level)
September: 47%
October: 16%
Influence of climate on detected frequencies
The drop in temperature and decrease in humidity make the flows unstable. Pressure variations generate isolated and discontinuous acoustic peaks (5–10 kHz), sound signals of end-of-season stress and hydraulic slowdown.
Vegetative rest
The vine is silent. The bare branches preserve life within the wood, in silent equilibrium with the cold.
During winter, the plant enters a state of dormancy: its metabolism slows down, lymphatic flows are interrupted, and the woody structures protect the latent buds. Visible activity is minimal, but the system remains alive, ready to reactivate with the return of light and warmth.
- LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF THE PLANT
Post-harvest transition / Induction of dormancy
VIEW THE FREQUENCY CHART
Dominant bands: 300–1500 Hz, with decreasing energy below 300 Hz and almost total absence above 3 kHz.
Sound signature: weak and fragmented signal, punctuated by isolated micro-pulses and long intervals of silence; the dynamics are soft, with intermittent flows and a slow decay of energy, a sign of vitality that retreats without completely fading away.
The vine is not yet completely silent: the sap slows down, but beneath the bark there are still small movements that reorganise the reserves. The wood settles, like a breath held before winter sleep.
The frequencies are not only very low: the 300–1500 Hz band is present with radiated micro-pulses, while below 300 Hz the energy is weak but continuous; above 3 kHz there is almost nothing. The sound signature is discontinuous and faint, with short events separated by long periods of quiet: a sign of minimal but active hydraulic flows, lignification in progress and hormonal induction of dormancy.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS STAGE
During winter dormancy, the vine enters a state of deep dormancy. The meristems cease cell division, lymphatic flows are reduced to a minimum and the roots conserve their starch reserves. The tissues become completely lignified and the permeability of the cell membranes decreases. Enzymatic activity is reduced to almost zero, maintained only by minimal osmotic variations and basal respiration processes.
November / December / January / February
Temperatures gradually drop to 10 °C, rainfall becomes more frequent and westerly winds bring humidity. The air remains cool but not freezing, and the soil regenerates thanks to winter water. Photosynthetic activity is minimal and daylight hours are reduced to around 9 hours per day.
During the dormant period, the vine concentrates its energy in its roots. The only work carried out is dry pruning and maintenance of the rows. It is a time of waiting and silent care: the plant’s frequencies almost disappear, leaving room for a constant background noise, a sign of suspended metabolism. The silence of the vineyard at this stage is all the more eloquent the more intense the cycle that has just passed has been.
VIEW THE CLIMATE TREND CHART
Data source: WeatherSpark - AVERAGE VALUES
Temperature
November: 15°C
December: 11°C
January: 10°C
February: 10°C
Wind
November: 15.7 km/h
December: 16.8 km/h
January: 16.6 km/h
February: 17.0 km/h
Precipitation
November: 65 mm
December: 60 mm
January: 57 mm
February: 49 mm
Humidity
(relative comfort level)
November: 3%
December: 0%
January: 0%
February: 0%
Listen to the sound of the vineyard and discover the rhythm of nature.
What does the plant tell us?
The vine does not speak, but vibrates. Through its frequencies, it recounts the rhythm of its own existence, the transition from periods of calm to those of full activity. In the lower sounds, sap flows; in the mid-frequencies, growth pulsates; in the high frequencies, the fatigue of harvesting emerges. Each acoustic variation corresponds to an internal change, to a different way of reacting to light, heat or lack of water.
DISCOVER THE ACTIVITIES OF THE VINEYARD
The colour intensity — lighter or darker — indicates the energy density of the acoustic signal in each band and period: the brightest areas correspond to moments of greater physiological activity in the plant.
What have we learnt from the data?
The audio tracks collected and analysed show that each phenological phase has its own acoustic identity, patterns that confirm that the sound activity of the vine faithfully follows its biological cycle and responds directly to climatic and environmental conditions, transforming each season into a different voice of its acoustic landscape.
DISCOVER THE ANNUAL TREND
During growth, low frequencies dominate, indicating continuous hydraulic flows; during flowering, the mid-range expands, indicating active metabolism; during ripening, mid-range frequencies emerge, linked to sugar transport; during harvesting, sharp peaks appear, signalling stress or cavitation; finally, during vegetative rest, the sound almost completely disappears.
x = detected audio tracks
How can we use the data for future actions?
Acoustic analysis of vines allows certain invisible aspects of plant physiology to be read in real time. Variations in the frequency, amplitude and rhythm of sound emissions can become genuine early warning signs of plant behaviour, which can be translated into practical indicators for vineyard management.