Pievalta

Brand Description

Verdicchio’s long tradition as the Marche’s banner grape and its reputation as one of Italy’s greatest Italian white varieties is highly respected by the stewards of viniculture at Pievalta. Verdicchio production is centered in two place-name appellations of the Marche region: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and Verdicchio di Matelica. Pievalta terroir is located in the former, and the wines of Jesi tell the story of their microclimate and particular subzone. Pievalta’s young history was made possible by the vision of Silvano Brescianini (winemaker and Managing Partner of Barone Pizzini) who tapped enologist Alessandro Fenino to manage this ambitious project in 2002.

Location of Vineyard

Pievalta farms 26.5 hectares of estate-owned vineyards in two key sites flanking both banks of the Esino River Valley in the province of Ancona. Vineyards on the left bank (planted in the 1970s) are predominately clay and limestone, and have been updated with new plantings for higher density. Vineyards flanking the right bank of the Esino River are of higher elevation and steep slopes, and marked by soils of granitic sandstone. All work in the vineyards is painstakingly carried out by hand throughout all events during the growing season.

Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy

Pievalta refrains from conventional winemaking production, and has, since the outset, been farmed organically. In 2005, Alessandro also began conversion to biodynamic farming (Demeter certified since 2008) using legume cover crops between the rows and biodynamic preparations. In philosophy and practice, Pievalta aims to resurrect the spirit of their soils. To this effect, the makers act as stewards of their vineyards, and within the context of each season, usher a transparent expression of Verdicchio into wine. Using a less-is-more approach, Alessandro and his team allow the grape and terroir to take its natural course with very little intervention. Since 2009, all wines have been produced free of any animal additives.

Owner: BARONE PIZZINI SPA
Winemaker: ALESSANDRO FENINO/SILVANO BRESCIANINI
Total acreage under vine: 68
Founded: 2003
Production: 12,000

“This wine is a blend of fruit from various estate parcels. The organic and biodynamic Pievalta 2021 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Superiore Tre Ripe ferments with indigenous yeasts and ages on the lees briefly before bottling. The entire annual production is around 85,000 bottles. Fruit is from old vines, and there is a tiny bit of Trebbiano that was planted by mistake. Verdicchio is susceptible to fungal disease, and traditionally, Trebbiano was added in years that might have required more volume. This wine has a very clean, freshly pressed quality that adds to its immediate drinking appeal. Lemon and zesty peach cedes to dusty mineral tones.” — acclaim for 2021 Pievalta Tre Ripe Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi from Wine Advocate, Jul 2024

“From a warm vintage, the Pievalta 2015 Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva Classico San Paolo also celebrates the year Silvia and Alessandro Fenino’s son was born. The wine offers yellow fruit tones of apricot and mango with hints of flint stone and kerosene. Those elegant tertiary notes are only just beginning at this stage. The 2015 vintage delivers more overall richness and fruit weight.” — acclaim for 2015 Pievalta San Paolo Castelli di Jesi from Wine Advocate, Jul 2024

“This wine is made with fruit from a cvineyard on Monte Follonica (in the village of San Paolo) with southeast exposures, friable sandstone soils and views that extend all the way to the Adriactic Sea. The 2019 Pievalta 2019 Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva Classico San Paolo goes into cement, stainless steel and a small part in oak. It was first produced in 2003, but many vintages were skipped (2007, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2018). The 2018 was not made because of hail damage. This vintage starts a new chapter for this wine. Vintner Alessandro Fenino calls it "a wine of flavor" and a wine that is shaped mostly by the site and the sandstone soils. Indeed, there is a clear saltiness here with citrus, papaya, latex and white licorice.” — acclaim for 2019 Pievalta San Paolo Castelli di Jesi from Wine Advocate, Jul 2024

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Pievalta

Brand Description

Location of Vineyard

Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy

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Pievalta San Paolo Castelli di Jesi

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