Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The vineyards face south and southeast and lie 100–150 m above sea level on rocky mountain soils. The vines are 10–35 years old. The estate occupies the grounds of the former Benedictine monastery Abazia di Nervesa, near Nervesa della Battaglia. The owners farm with organic methods, and the grapes are harvested entirely by hand.
Grapes
The wine is a blend of several varieties that complement one another. Petit Verdot is named in the harvest schedule, in addition to the varieties listed in the fields.
Vinification
Merlot is harvested in late September, Cabernet in early October and Petit Verdot in the second half of October. All grapes are carefully sorted. They are fermented and macerated for 6–8 days in wooden barrels and stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation follows.
Ageing
The wine is aged in oak barrels for 15–24 months, then in bottle for one to two years. The exact time depends on the grape variety and the character of the vintage.
Label / history
The name means "The Red Wine of the Abbey" and comes from the monastery whose grounds now hold the estate. It was the first wine made by Serafini e Vidotto and has been produced since 1988.
The Benedictine monastery Abazia di Nervesa was founded in the 11th century. Its monks grew grapes and made wine, and the estate grew large and well developed. It lasted until the early 20th century and was destroyed in 1918 in the First World War. In 1986 the friends Francesco Serafini and Antonello Vidotto set out to revive it. Using old documents and maps, they began recreating the historic landscape, restoring the architecture and the vineyards. They are also working to restore the area's genetic heritage by developing and selecting local grapevines, a process that is still continuing.
