Campo Alla Sughera - Arioso 2015 Ml. 750

Passing through Bolgheri some 17 years ago, my family conceived the idea of establishing a vineyard and winery, and I have been here ever since, growing, living life to the full. To think, back then there was nothing here, not even an abandoned farmhouse to rebuild. But you know, I can’t imagine being anywhere else; this land these 20 hectares that I breathe, that I live is a constant source of warmth, passion, of love.
I am not ashamed to flaunt my technological innovations. My folks, family have always taught me that tradition my human, cultural heritage is best honoured by embracing the modern world. The harvest is something I live with all year round, because, in a sense, I am able to enjoy the fruits of my labour every day of the year. I am full of the audacity of youth, and I need to show the world what I can do. I don’t simply produce wine, I contemplate it; before it can reach the palate, wine must first be tasted by the mind, by reason, by the soul. Every detail is fundamental and can make all the difference, because wine is more than simply a reason for spending time together. It presides over the rites of love itself, of friendship, of family. I am the spirit of a place that, rather than hiding itself away, has the courage to open itself up and welcome in the world. I have learned that anyone who is inspired by the heart can become part of a story, of a family, whoever they may be. That is why, without the many people I work with, I couldn’t continue growing. Their suggestions, their enthusiasm and passion are really the most precious part of me. I am one of few Italian wineries to have earned every available quality certification, something I am very proud of. I am fully compliant with the SA8000 : 2008 standards for social and ethical accountability, the OHSAS 18001 : 2007 Occupational Health and Safety Management System standards and the UNI EN ISO 14001 : 2004 standards for environment management systems. They might seem to be nothing more than a series of codes and numbers, but for me they are a tangible representation of just how special, and unique, my work here really is.
It’s true that I don’t come from a long line of wine producers, nor can I claim aristocratic roots, but I am a young enterprise at the cutting edge of the industry, and I was born in one of the world’s best known and most highly regarded terroirs that has been blessed by an equally well regarded winemaking tradition. What can I do, but carry on working as best I can? I am the new generation; I am part of a future that will make history.
<b>Campo alla Sughera</b>
Developed as recently as 2006, this is the most recent of my wines to be developed, but one of the most prestigious and one that I am particularly proud of, which is why I wanted it to take my name. A serious, single-variety red, meaning it is produced with, and from, a single grape variety. Campo alla Sughera is 100% Petit Verdot! This is special, in itself, since this is not a variety that can be grown and ripened to perfection just anywhere. What I mean is that after comparing various grapevines in various climactic contexts over a six-year period, my experts concluded that, for my particular corner of Tuscany, Petit Verdot was the winner. Even though few would have seen this victory coming, we have established that on my estate, this grape manages to express itself with unusual elegance and balance. Bear in mind that in the Bolgheri area, up to the mid-1990s, nobody or virtually nobody had heard of Petit Verdot. It turns out that in terms of cultivation, productivity, wine-making potential, soil-type and climate, this area is prime Petit Verdot habitat.
Before it can be declared ready to drink and enjoyed at its best, my Campo alla Sughera red has to be aged for four long years: two years in oak, two in the bottle.
Trust me, it’s worth the wait. As they say in one of my favourite films, Pane e Tulipani (Bread and Tulips): The best things take time. You need to know how to wait.