Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The fruit comes from the biodynamically farmed La Rocca vineyard, whose southwest-facing slopes lie at 200–300 metres above sea level. The vines are 10–50 years old, and the soils combine limestone and basalt, an unusual composition for Soave. The area’s typically warm, sunny conditions produce consistently ripe, concentrated grapes with a deep golden colour.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested by hand in late October and sorted twice. After cleaning and gentle pressing, they undergo a short skin maceration, followed by fermentation at a controlled 16–18 °C in 500- and 2,500-litre oak barrels. Nino Pieropan considers Garganega too delicate for fermentation in small wooden barrels.
Ageing
The wine rests on fine lees for 15 months, then spends several further months in bottle before release.
Tasting profile
The bouquet is complex and rich. The 2019 wine is balanced, with a delicate salty note.
Vintage notes
The winter of 2019 was very warm, with above-average temperatures by February. Temperatures fell sharply in late April, and severe hail struck parts of Soave Classico on the night of 5 May, causing significant damage to young shoots. May and part of June were cold and very rainy, delaying shoot development so that the growing season did not effectively begin until mid-June. Sharp fluctuations in temperature and humidity continued through summer, hindering ripening and creating serious physiological and disease-related challenges in the vineyards.
Label / history
Pieropan has produced La Rocca since 1978. The vineyard takes its name from the nearby old fortress.
