Pinot Nero on the hills of Casentino
In 2002, the Vezzosi family planted the first Pinot Nero vineyard in Casentino on the hill of Poppiena. The rootstocks came from the prestigious Burgundy nursery Guillaume (pronounced "Ghee-yom"). Approximately 2 hectares of vines, with 190 cm row spacing and 65 cm inter-vine spacing. Around 2,500 bottles are produced each year. A vision passed down from generation to generation.
The vineyard sits at 500 metres above sea level, with south-east exposure. Clay at the surface and limestone at depth: a combination that retains moisture and gives the Pinot Nero deep roots and pronounced minerality.
The day-to-night temperature swings typical of Casentino develop intense aromas and vibrant acidity.
The harvest is early: typically the first week of September. Every bunch is picked by hand, ensuring only the finest grapes enter the cellar.
From approximately 2 hectares, around 2,500 bottles are produced each year, between Pinot Nero Rosso and Rosé Poppiena.
Natural fermentation ~22 days in 800-litre vats with daily pump-overs. Malolactic in steel ~40 days, then 225-litre barriques for ~1 year (2 first-use, 4 second, 4 third), blended in concrete, then ~4 months bottle rest before release.
On harvest morning the grapes pass through the destemmer-crusher with dry ice, then immediately pressed. The tank is cooled below 20°C to prevent fermentation starting.
Refinement and clarification processes entirely in steel tanks. Bottled in March, ready in May after 2 months in bottle.
Gentle and refined, energetic and powerful. Best after three to four years in bottle.
Fresh and refined. Made with dry ice at the destemmer-crusher, aged entirely in steel. Bottled in March, ready in May.
The hill of Poppiena at 500 metres, with clay soil at the surface and limestone at depth, south-east exposure, and rootstocks from Burgundy: everything contributes to making this vineyard unique in Casentino. Every bottle tells this story, made of seasons, of waiting, and of a family's love for their land.
Stay with us and taste directly from the cellar
the Pinot Nero and Rosé Poppiena.