Roccolo Grassi Valfresca Valpolicella Superiore 2015

The Valfresca vineyard was purchased in 2006 and replanted in 2007. The grapes come from the 2.5- hectare plot which is reserved exclusively for this cuvée and is only produced in the best vintages. The vineyard is situated at 310 metres elevation, and faces south, gaining maximum sun exposure to enable maturation of the grapes. The soils are of calcareous origin; they are cool soils with good water retention properties and allow the vine’s root system to penetrate deeply into the soil in search of minerals and nutrients. The Guyot-trained vines are planted at a 7,500 vines per hectare, to ensure low yields. The vines are only treated with copper and sulphate if required and the use of sexual confusion to eliminate predators also encourages biodiversity in the vineyard. The harvest takes place at the end of September, when the grapes have reached complete polyphenolic ripeness and are picked exclusively by hand.

The grapes were destemmed, and very gently pressed with aim of preserving the fruit as whole berries. Fermentation was carried out with wild yeasts in stainless steel vats at controlled temperatures reaching a maximum of 24°C, lasting for approximately 20 days. During this period gentle punch downs were carried out twice daily. The wine was transferred to oak where it underwent malolactic conversion. Maturation took place in large 20 hl French oak vats for 18 months, followed by a further four years in bottle prior to release.