Elio Grasso Chardonnay Educato 2024

The Chardonnay grapes flourish on a southeast-facing slope, situated at 380-400 metres, which promotes excellent sun exposure and diurnal temperature variation, resulting in concentrated flavours with balancing freshness. The soil is a blend of slightly sandy, limestone-based composition offering a moderately loose-packed structure that provides good drainage and imparts a mineral character. The vines are planted at a density of 4,500 vines per hectare and are trained using a Casarsa system - a distinctive tree-like structure, featuring a permanent cordon at around 1.60 metres, which allows for only a few small, but well-exposed, bunches. The vines have an average age of 30 years and feature deep, established root systems. Viticultural practices adhere to the family’s longstanding sustainable and organic philosophy. Cow and green manure are employed as fertiliser and chemical treatments are not used. Massal selection has been the chosen method for vine propagation since the estate's inception, with distinct selections made for each specific vineyard. This approach recognises the unique identity of vines suited to particular sites and ensures the preservation of varietal typicity.

Following harvest, the grapes were fully destemmed. Fermentation started after four to five days in stainless-steel tanks, either spontaneously or with inoculated yeasts. 1/3 was fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, 1/3 new French oak barriques, and 1/3 in one-year-old French oak barriques. The wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation to preserve its inherent freshness and was matured for seven months.