VINCHIO VAGLIO, Italy

Located in the breathtaking landscape of the lower Alps facing the Monviso mountain near Asti, Piedmont in north-west Italy, lying between the Po and Tanaro rivers. The rolling Monferrato Hills epitomise Piemonte, with rows of vines, copses of hazelnut trees and woodland, whilst the town of Asti itself is rich in culture, beautiful architecture and surrounded by rich agricultural land. Vinchio Vaglio is a collaboration between 192 families of vine growers, with over 470 hectares of Barbera, accounting for 70% of their production, and other native grapes such as Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Ruché, Albarossa, Grignolino, Arneis, Cortese, Moscato and Brachetto and international varietals, Pinot Nero, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Viticulture

Growers cultivate the vineyards with respect for nature using sustainable techniques that ensure a perfect balance between tradition and new technologies. The soils of Vinchio Serra are generally loess, which are rich in sand with a small amount of clay; the grey/brown colour signifies the presence of calcium. This produces wines with great freshness, and an easy, fruity style. In Vaglio Serra, on the other hand, the soils have a more substantial quantity of clay, with a red/brown colour producing wines with greater structure and longevity.

Winemaking

Winemaking takes place in their modern facility, with temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, solar panels and high-tech bottling line, adhering to the highest quality certifications for their DOC and DOCG wines. Sustainability is one of the co-op's primary objectives, certified through the Equalitas programme (Italian Ministry of Agriculture), with the use of wastewater recycling, renewable energy throughout the winery and reductions in the use of harmful substances on the environment, but also with broader economic and social level criteria, based on the premise of creating value and service not just for present, but also future generations