September, October and November are important months in the life of both vineyards and wine. September sees the start of the harvest and leaf-fall stages, during which the vines start to replenish their reserves. Then, in December, the vines begin to fall dormant until the bud-breaking stage in spring.

Not all producers, however, start harvesting their grapes at the same time, and this is even true for vineyards in the same area! Harvesting is governed by a range of factors, including ripeness, exposure, weather, region, and much more. This is why the harvesting stage may run from September to November.

November is an extremely delicate month because the arrival of cold weather puts vine health at risk. One such risk is “leaf-drop”, a disease that attacks the foliage and causes premature defoliation.

Nevertheless, it is the perfect time to visit wineries. Producers have just finished harvesting their crop, and while they, too, are recuperating their strength, they can devote their time to welcoming visitors, giving vineyard tours, and recounting their winery’s history.

November also sees the publication of various wine-rankings and the awarding of scores and acknowledgements, just as the post-summer market gets underway.

Both wine and wineries are bubbling with activity!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tenuta di Cazzano di Tramigna is the only Salvaterra estate with pergola-trained vineyards. This system involves growing grapes on a framework of pillars atop of which sit horizontal or diagonal crossbeams that create a sort of roof. The vines are pruned with a special technique to ensure optimum production. The pergolas, to which the vines are tied, are perfect for steeply sloping terrains and enable maximum exploitation of their exposure to sunlight.

Pergola-training is perfect for this estate, as it perches on a hillside ranging from 300 to 400 metres above sea level. Although this type of vineyard dates back to ancient times, when production is limited, it produces superior quality grapes that make thick, elegant wines.

Its grapes are used to produce Amarone, Ripasso, Valpolicella, and Lazzarone.

The village of Cazzano di Tramigna is home to just 1,500 people, but despite its size it contains a number of important monuments, some even dating back to the 12th century. Wine-lovers visiting the area should take a leisurely stroll around the village and then drop by our eponymous estate to see its stunning pergola vineyards.

Tenuta di Mezzane sits on a hilltop, affording visitors breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery. The estate’s lowest vineyards stand at 350 metres above sea level, but the highest perch as high as 450 metres, making them some of the most spectacular locations in Valpolicella.

The particular terrain and high altitude mean that producers have to select the grapevines they plant very carefully. The lowest and steepest vineyards are planted with the thick-skinned Rondinella grape; the middle ground is used for Merlot; and the highest and sunniest slopes are planted with Corvina.

This estate’s soil is a blend of terra rossa and clear fine-grained limestone, which produces grapes that make structured, concentrated, elegant wines.

The grapes from the Tenuta di Mezzane vineyards are used to craft Salvaterra’s Amarone, Ripasso Superiore, Valpolicella, and Lazzarone.

Another hallmark of this area is its wide variety of wildlife, with boar and deer being just two of the animals that roam freely across these hills. Once again, wine embodies a seamless blend of land, life and human passion.

Villa Giona lies in Cengia, at the heart of Valpolicella, and is one of the Veneto’s regions most breathtaking 16th-century villas. It is a must-go destination for any wine-lovers visiting the area. Visitors can stroll around the villa’s gardens and lake surrounded by hedges and ornamental plants in a setting that combines beauty with nobility.

The vineyards surrounding Villa Giona stretch as far as the premises of Tenute Salvaterra, a winery with its own showroom, tasting room and characteristic ageing-cellar. The winery and the villa stand a short distance apart and are linked by a path leading through the vineyards. From here, visitors can marvel at the cypress trees that dominate the landscape in scenes of incomparable natural beauty.

Villa Giona stands 80 metres above sea level, and its vineyards are planted with a density of 9,600 vines per hectare. This tight spacing makes the vines incredibly hardy, as they are forced to fight for their ration of the soil’s nutrients. Consequently, the vines do not grow very tall and bear fewer grapes, but the wine they produce has extremely distinctive body and structure.

Corvina, Corvinone and Oseleta are the main varieties grown here, and they are used to craft Salvaterra’s Amarone Classico, Ripasso Classico Superiore and Valpolicella Classico.

Villa Giona is unquestionably a must-visit destination for anyone wishing to find out more about Tenute Salvaterra and discover the history and values behind our winery.

Fortunately, Villa Giona is also a hotel, which means visitors can spend a few days here and take a leisurely tour of Valpolicella and the other Tenute Salvaterra estates.