Monteforche, Cabernet Franc "Traerso" Veneto, Italy 2019

Southwest of Padova, there is a little known hilly appellation called the Colli Euganei, where the tiny, historic 5.5 hectare estate of Monteforche is situated. At 170 meters above sea level, characterized by volcanic soils with marl and limestone, mild constant winds and just enough rain, the Vo area on the western slopes of Mount Venda is the cooler and fresher area in the appellation, giving finesse and balance to wines. Here, the Monteforche estate vineyards are cultivated without any chemicals or any kind of biotechnology.  In the nearby cellar, wines are fermented on the skins with wild yeasts and rest on their lees in concrete vats until bottling.

Winemaker Alfonso Soranzo is a professional French horn player, with a degree from the Padova School of Music. In 2012, he decided to leave his career in music to devote himself - mind, body and soul - to viticulture.  Returning to his family's property, helped by his father in the vineyards, he personally handles all the cellar workings. The land has been owned and cultivated by his family for several generations. Alfonso is proud to carry on the tradition and ethos of minimal intervention, no filtration or clarification, nothing added, and vinifying entirely in cement tanks.