Masanobu Fukuoka
Our wineyard extends for almost 6,5ha.
Since 1985 grandfather Riccardo (Job) has certified the wineyard as “bio”. In those years the main aim was to produce grapes within a safe environment, but in large quantities. Quality was not the main goal since wine was produced in order to be sold.
The winery also reflected that attitude: big steel tanks for wine and cutting edge machineries were contained therein.
Wines were mostly regular, with the significant exception of Pinot Grigio, which, when we tasted it, surprised us: juicy and deep, it was a wine that was different from the environment where it was produced.
The latter was the trigger that drove us to research Zugliano’s terroir: it emerged that the wineyard was located on a plateau at 90 meters above sea level and consisted of several complex layers of earth: sands, silts, clays, sandstones and marls (to further research click here).
We immediately understood that we were in front of a fantastic territory with unexpressed potentialities. We had then to listen to the territory in order to understand its essence, and then interpreting it for it to express its uniqueness
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Green manures, mulches, bees are the foundations of our way of cultivating. Grasses, insects, birds and animals are our sentries.
In the course of the years we have abandoned any invasive intervention on the vine (if not strictly necessary). Our plants came to find their equilibrium, after we stopped manuring, trimming, defoliating and thinning them.
Our growth course is one of continuous learning, based on studying, comparing ideas and patiently observing our wineyard. As of today, we have understood that it is us that shall decide what it needs, but it is the wineyard that shows us that. It is important not to forget that vines are capable of regulating themselves; our duty is just to attend to and support her if she needs it.
RUDOLF STEINER