Ca' La Bionda Valpolicella DOC Classico 2023

Ca' la Bionda has been practicing organic viticulture and wine-making since 2000. The process of obtaining official certification began in 2012, with the 2016 vintage as the first to bear the ‘Certified Organic’ label. Ca’ La Bionda is doing some incredible work to take their organic farming far above the required minimum that is needed for certification. From the winery: “In our biodiversity project we grow native-breed sheep ‘Brogna of Lessinia mountain’ to keep the vines clean from the weeds and by the way to fertilize the soil naturally. We cultivate cover, secondary, crops between vine rows in our vineyards which we then plough back into the vineyard soil. This provides the soil with nitrogen, carbon and other micro elements which contribute to vine health and ultimately better quality grapes. To remain faithful to our organic and environmentally sustainable  approach to viticulture we only use wild yeasts in our ferments and use minimal sulphur dioxide, no more than a quarter of what is permitted in conventional wine-making. The grapes harvested from vine rows bordering vineyards that are not ours are sold off in order to be sure that any contamination from sprays used by our neighbours will not pollute our own grapes.” A classic blend of corvina, molinara, and rondinella, this wine opens with generous floral notes followed by bursts of red fruits. A touch of smoke and leather begin to show on the palate. A great lighter-style Valpolicella that works wonders with a variety of foods and also shines on its own. Certified organic.