The vineyards of San Polino in May . . .

Great video of Luigi Fabbro of San Polino in Montalcino talking about how he farms his grapes and makes wine . . .

Terroir and Vineyards

South-east of Montalcino, near Castelnuovo dell’Abate, between Montalcino and Monte Amiata, in the Val d’Orcia. South-facing over the valley of the Ribusuoli river. Height above sea level 400-450 metros. The soils of San Polino range in their texture from sandy-loam to clay-loam with a rich scheleton presence. Interspersed throughout the fields are large areas of galestro (shale) and red earth. The soil is well drained and has a good water permeability and, at the same time, good water retention. A satisfactory natural presence of the essential nutrients necessary for healthy vine growth means that only a minimal quantity of fertilizers are ever used. In many years they are not used at all. The vineyards face south and slope downhill at a gradient of 22%.

Sun all day due to its south-facing slopes. An almost constant southern breeze coming from Monte Amiata maintains a fresh and healthy climate where the need for fungicide spray is reduced. San Polino is surrounded by shrubland and woods. 25% of its area comprises a maintained wilderness in order to promote the rich presence of indigenous biodiversity, maintain a self-regulating balance in its environment and reduce the need for anti-fungicides

G.D. Vajra tasting at winery with Milena Vaira . . . .

I set up a couple of people from Califonria with a tasting and tour at G.D. Vajra winery and these are some of the photos they sent back.  If anyone is ever in Piedmont and wants to go, please feel free to email me to set up an appointment at G.D. Vajra.  You won't be disappointed.

Looking out towards the residence from the winery

Looking up the hill at vineyards

 A rare sighting.  2001 Barolo Bricco delle Viole in magnum

 I am out of the 2007 but getting more on the next shipment

The 2010 Langhe Bianco (100% Riesling) is tasting amazing right now.

 Milena Vaira 

Taking a drive with Aldo Vaira to check on the progress of flowering in the vineyards . . .

Aldo Vaira

Looking from the Baudana vineyard in Serralunga towards Castiglione Falleto and way in the back towards the Castle La Volta in Barolo.

Just the beginning of flowering on a nebbiolo vine

Some haven't even opened up yet.

And more . . . 

Giuseppe Vaira

Steep vineyards in Sinnio (right outside the Barolo confines near Serralunga)

In the old days, these Sinnio vineyards used to be able to be labeled as Barolo and from what I have heard, lots of the older producers sourced grapes here.

Looking down the hill from the top of the Sinnio vineyard.

VIVA VINO LOS ANGELES

Come by and taste all my Italian wines this Wednesday.  It should be fun.

GRAND TASTING

Join us for the second annual VIVA VINO LA and discover the traditional varietals of Italy.  An incredible opportunity to get acquainted with the wines, wineries and winemakers that make Italy the #1 exported wine country in the world. Taste over 100 wines from Italy, enjoy the regional food and mingle with Italians!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

6:30-9:00pm

Tickets: $60

The Mark for Events
9320 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035

(Valet Parking Available for $8)

http://vvlagrandtasting.eventbrite.com/

Verona by night . . .

Found some pictures of Verona I took in April while wandering around the city at night.  After downloading them from the camera, I just forgot I had them and moved on but I looked again and found something in them that I had passed by when immediately home from my trip.  I love cities, especially medieval cities, at night; there is a stillness to them and silence to them you don't find in modern cities.

 I stopped at this square and then realized that underneath all the arches were homeless people sleeping.

Crossing the bridge and looking towards the Ponte Pietra . . . 

 And moving the camera a little too much . . . but I like it . . .

 

San Polino Historic records . . . from 1581

In 1581, the farmstead of San Polino was registered as one of the properties belonging to the Montalcino Hospital “Santa Maria della Croce” and it is here that we find the first explicit mention of the vineyard: 

“…the farmstead of San Polino , with its house, its worked fields and woodlands, has a vineyard and there are on this farmstead six olive trees…..”

 “Idem possiede in detta Corte il Podere di Santo Polino co’ sua Casa, co’ terreni lavorativi e machiosi, ha la vignia e vi sono in detto podere sei piedi di olivo...”

The medieval hospital functioned as a charitable institution which provided for pilgrims and gave assistance to the poor. It owned 30 farmsteads, houses and shops in the town, mills, olive presses, a furnace where bricks, vases and calcina were made.

From the 18th century ownership of San Polino changed hands when the noble Piccolomini family from Siena took possession of the farmhouse and its lands.

In 1991 the farmstead was bought by its present owners, Luigi and Katia, who renovated it and planted the new vineyards in 1998.

The six olive trees mentioned in the hospital registers in 1581 are still producing olives.