Sandra De Bruno, Cold Skin Maceration Tranquillo 2022

100% Pinot Grigio

Veneto, Italy

Organic certified vineyards at elevations of 150 - 650m with South, Southeast exposure. Volcanic mineral-rich soils. Hand harvested estate fruit from 20-year-old vines. Cold skin maceration, at 5/6 ºC in stainless tanks, for 4 or 5 days. Start of native fermentation with the rise of temperature and subsequent racking. It is then fermented in oak barrels, the left on its lees for 5 months, until bottling. 35ppm sulfur at bottling. VEGAN.

Intriguing notes of red currant, strawberry, and prickly pear. Hibiscus, black tea, rhubarb, and sandalwood on the finish. Dry and fruity with pleasing tannic astringency.

The vineyards are located in heart of Soave DOC and Monti Lessini DOC, on the volcanic soils of Mount Calvarina (600 m.), which give to the wines their unique personality. All estate and organically cultivated.

The Sandro De Bruno Winery, run by Sandro Tasoniero and his wife Ferraretto Marina, was founded with the intention of producing wines that best represent their territory. They are immersed in the area of Soave and Lessini Mountains, between Montecchia di Crosara and Terrossa di Roncà. Sandro is third generation wine producer and started making wine at his family winery when he was a young man. He was basically “born in the vineyards.” He wasn’t sure he wanted to continue the family winemaking tradition until his father passed away when Sandro was in his late thirties. Sandro then decided to be a winemaker and worked a harvest in Chile in 2007 before starting his own winery that same year.

Their 27 acre/11 hectare vineyard is in “the land of volcanoes” at about 600 meters above sea level on Mount Calvarin. The mountain is part of a majestic active volcanic complex that emerged from the ancient Tethys Sea about 40 million years ago. To get there, one must drive up a series of hairpin turns. The top reveals a breathtaking view of the Po Valley, Emilian Apennines, Monte Baldo and Monte Pasubio. The altitude, the slope and the exposure offer unique expressions of the region, and the diurnal temperature swing is important for developing the grapes.

Sandro practices organic viticulture along with the principles of Integrated and Sustainable Agriculture including the use of environmentally sustainable agricultural techniques to preserve the environment resource. Minimal intervention winemaking is an important value of Sandro’s. While tradition is Sandro’s priority, he improved technology in the cellar by adding modern winemaking tools and practices such as the soft press and cold maceration.