The interruption of a dream.
The mild, sunny autumn permitted us to work the soil and distribute the manure and compost. These works will prove to be crucial in the management of the year.
In spring, the first rains arrive and become very frequent and copious. The plants are sprouting very well, after so much drought they seem reborn. Flowering and fruit set are also excellent.
With a few difficulties in phytosanitary management, all went well until Monday 24 July, when a storm of unprecedented violence hit Cà dei Zago. The hail is a lot and shot onto the vines by a lot of wind.
The following morning we walk in the vineyard above a carpet of grapes.
HAILSTORM YEAR
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The 2022 vintage is a revealing one: those who have managed to nurture and maintain good soil fertility have harvested good fruit even in adverse climatic conditions. A year of hardship, with a dry and hot winter; the plants sprouted amidst drought, which persisted until the maturation of the grapes. A sigh of relief with some timid rain at the end of August, followed by a warm harvest. The wine is warm, enveloping, supported by minerality. Floral notes are lacking, tied to the warmth.
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The 2021 vintage is characterized by a constant availability of water alternated with sunshine and clear skies, clean air. During the cold winter, snow covered the vineyards. The spring was also cool, causing a vegetative delay that brought the physiological development of the plants back to normal. May was very rainy, ensuring good growth of the young vines, and flowering occurred with rain. June and July were better, concluding with sunny August and September, resulting in a wonderful harvest. The wine is taut, linear, floral, fresh, and mineral with a crisp texture. A great vintage.
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The 2020 vintage is characterized by a mild winter followed by a cold spring that led to a delay in bud break. From late April and May, the sudden rise in temperature led to rapid vine growth. August was finally hot and dry, leading to a surprisingly normal harvest compared to the initial delay. The wine is well-structured, pleasant, with a pronounced prevalence of fruit over floral notes. Good vintage.
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2019 begins with a initially mild and sunny autumn, allowing us to carry out the first soil work. From October 26th to 30th however, the arrival of big storm named Vaia poured 718 mm of water on the ground in three days. The wind on Mount Cesen reached 192 km/h, on the Rolle pass 217 km/h. 42,500 hectares of forest are felled, Venice is flooded by 152 cm, the Piave river also overflows in Segusino. Since then, rain and snow are no longer seen for almost the entire winter, the land is dry, the mountain is yellow, burnt orange by the sun. The spring is also dry until April 26th when a disturbance arrives, and there is a strong hailstorm in the eastern part of Valdobbiadene. Fortunately, Ca’ dei Zago Mariarosa and Bastia are intact. Then, dry weather returns throughout the summer. Strange climate, with significant thermal and water fluctuations throughout the year. We reduce macerations to 1-2 days; the wine gains verticality, aromaticity, the fruity character is supported by a pleasant Mediterranean spice, intriguing. Not an easy vintage, but a wine of great personality.
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The 2018 vintage is characterized by good productivity generosity, thanks to the mild spring that ensured excellent flowering. Freshness is somewhat compromised, due to the very hot and dry summer. In Valdobbiadene, as in the Dolomites, the winter was dry, almost snowless. The wine revealed itself over time, initially austere. Warm vintage.
The Mariarosa vineyard is located in the Saccol area of Valdobbiadene at the base of "Col Croset". On the top of it the remains of the Bastia di Mondeserto can be seen, an ancient fortress dating back to the 12th century. The rocky matrix on which the soil rests is composed of the resistant Glauconia di Belluno with sub-vertical bedding. The rows are interspersed with layers of thinner rock belonging to the Calcarenite di Castelcucco, both rock formations belonging to the Molasse group. The soil is limestone. The terraced rows are located on three different levels, connected by a path. The vineyard is situated at about 250 meters a.s.l. and extends over 0.5 hectares surrounded by woodland for a total of 1.05 hectares.
