Bisol 1542

History

First traces in 1542

The earliest traces of Bisol’s history date to 1542. Its identity developed over five centuries in close connection with Valdobbiadene and the cultivation of the steep hills that later became part of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The name Bisol1542 preserves this documented historical date as part of the brand’s identity.

Entry into Gruppo Lunelli in 2014

Bisol1542 became part of Gruppo Lunelli in 2014. The acquisition expanded the group’s sparkling-wine activity into Prosecco Superiore di Valdobbiadene. The business operates through Bisol Desiderio & Figli S.r.l., a company wholly owned and directed by Lunelli S.p.A.

The Bisol family maintained a role within the viticultural network after the change of ownership: it is identified among the trusted growers whose vineyards follow the company protocol. The broader production system brings together Gruppo Lunelli holdings and the land of contracted growers between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano.

Sustainable-viticulture project from 2021

In 2021 Bisol1542 began a dedicated sustainable-viticulture project intended to protect the environment, the health of people living and working in the countryside, and Valdobbiadene’s viticultural heritage. Its measures include exclusive use of organic fertiliser, traditional training methods associated with the steep UNESCO hills, green manure, recovery of historic clones and the introduction of plant species in non-vineyard areas.

A parallel project began in Campea. Selected lots from Glera and complementary indigenous varieties were intended to be grown and vinified together, creating an expression shaped by each harvest while retaining a clear connection to its origins. Regenerative work was directed at preserving vines ranging from 2 to 80 years old rather than maximising yield per hectare.

Vineyard and production developments in 2024

The replanting of Campea was completed in 2024. The contiguous 7-hectare vineyard was laid out on terraces following the contour lines, and the historic local varieties Perera, Verdiso, Bianchetta and Glera lunga were reintroduced alongside Glera. Some former vine areas were left uncultivated and planted with old local fruit varieties.

Massal selection was initiated at Campea as a traditional means of propagating the vine. At Molere, work combined the Patriarchs project—recovering historic clones and grafting them in the steepest areas—with trials of resistant grape varieties. These initiatives joined alternating-row mowing, floral species, old fruit trees and small wooded areas in a broader biodiversity programme.

Production was also upgraded in 2024 with new equipment for processing and conservation. A new orthogonal filter, adopted after prior trials, improved filtration while preserving more of the aromatic and varietal character of the premium wines. The company reported 3,788.3 quintals of grapes from 12 growers, 35,942 hectolitres of purchased wine and 3,781,124 bottles produced during the year.

1542The earliest documented traces of the Bisol history date to this year.

2014Bisol1542 joined Gruppo Lunelli, extending the group’s sparkling-wine activity into Prosecco Superiore di Valdobbiadene.

2021A sustainable-viticulture project began, based on organic fertiliser, traditional hill training systems, green manure, recovery of historic clones and greater plant diversity outside the vine rows.

2021Work began at Campea to establish a mixed planting of Glera and complementary indigenous varieties whose selected lots could be vinified together.

2024The replanting of the contiguous 7-hectare Campea vineyard was completed with Glera, Glera lunga, Perera, Verdiso and Bianchetta on contour-following terraces.

2024Massal selection began at Campea, while resistant varieties were tested and historic clones recovered at Molere.

2024An orthogonal filtration system and other processing and conservation equipment were introduced.

Terroir

Bisol1542’s viticultural area extends between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, within the Prosecco hills recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Valdobbiadene lies between the Dolomites and Venice, a geographic relationship that also informs the estate’s cultural identity.

The area includes steep sites known as the Rive, where work is necessarily intensive and predominantly manual. Some vineyard soils are described as marly. The steep slopes are vulnerable to erosion, landslides and small slope failures, making grass management, terracing and the preservation of vegetation outside the rows part of the practical care of the landscape.

Conditions in 2024 illustrated the climatic pressures affecting these hills. Spring was unusually cold and rainy, with local frost—especially in lower Campea—and hail. Prolonged summer heat brought severe drought and nighttime temperatures well above seasonal averages. Rain from mid-September restored some balance and improved grape health and quality, although high summer temperatures reduced acidity. The same season brought recurring small landslides and created strong disease pressure during May and June.

Winemaking

Manual hill viticultureThe steep vineyards require about 900 hours of manual work per hectare annually, from pruning and mowing to harvest.

Natural soil nutritionNatural organic fertilisers and green manure replace synthetic chemical fertilisers.

Traditional trainingCampea retains the local doppio capovolto system and undebarked chestnut posts.

Massal and clonal recoveryMassal selection at Campea and the Patriarchs project at Molere preserve historic local vine material.

Orthogonal filtrationA new filtration system preserves more of the wines’ aromatic and varietal character.

Water-saving labellingA new labelling tunnel reduced water consumption in thermal treatment by 90%.

Bisol1542’s sustainable-viticulture programme has operated since 2021. Its first objective is balance—both the vegetative balance of the vine and the equilibrium of the surrounding landscape—so that the crop reaches harvest healthy, mature and balanced.

Only natural organic fertilisers are used; synthetic chemical fertilisers are avoided. Green manure contributes organic matter and supports soil life. Traditional vineyard training is retained on the steep UNESCO hills, including the doppio capovolto system at Campea. Regenerative interventions are undertaken without pursuing higher yields per hectare, with the aim of preserving vines that range from 2 to 80 years old.

Alternating-row mowing helps protect the soil from erosion, increases vineyard biodiversity and returns natural nutrients to the vines. Outside the planted rows, flowering species, old local fruit trees and small wooded areas create additional habitat. The Patriarchs project at Molere recovers historic clones, while massal selection at Campea maintains traditional vine-propagation material. Resistant grape varieties are also under trial at Molere as an adaptation measure.

The steep terrain demands about 900 hours of manual work per hectare each year, covering pruning, mowing and harvesting. By comparison, the figures used for conventional hill and plain viticulture are approximately 600 and 200 hours respectively.

The 2024 season required intensified plant-protection work in May and June because cold, rainy conditions favoured disease development. From mid-June to September, more stable conditions made vineyard protection easier. Local frost, hail, drought, extreme heat, erosion and small landslides remained important agronomic challenges.

The company’s principal certifications include ICEA organic certification. Its grower network follows a company protocol, and technical control extends through the chain from the vineyard to bottling.

Bisol1542 controls the production chain from vineyard to bottling and develops the specialisation of the viticulturist, agronomist, oenologist and cellar worker. Grapes from the approximately 50-hectare viticultural system are separated into 45 sparkling-wine bases, enabling the cellar to work with distinct components from across its Valdobbiadene–Conegliano supply area.

In 2024 the cellar acquired new processing and conservation equipment. An orthogonal filter, selected following earlier trials, was introduced for the premium Bisol1542 wines. It improved filtration while keeping aromatic and varietal characteristics more intact.

The 2024 production figures were 3,788.3 quintals of grapes supplied by 12 growers, 35,942 hectolitres of purchased wine and 3,781,124 bottles produced. Work with growers concentrated on retaining and improving the quality of suppliers in the DOCG area.

A water-saving labelling tunnel replaced the previous water-based thermal-treatment system. The prototype technology reduced water use in that operation by 90%. In 2024 the winery withdrew 5,978 m³ of mains water and discharged 4,400 m³.

Philosophy

Bisol1542 presents wine quality as beginning with healthy, mature and balanced grapes. Its viticultural approach therefore prioritises the vegetative equilibrium of each vine and the balance of the wider landscape rather than maximising yield.

The estate seeks to preserve the Valdobbiadene viticultural patrimony for future generations through traditional training systems, chestnut vineyard posts, massal selection, historic clones and the reintroduction of complementary indigenous varieties. Innovation is used alongside these practices: resistant-vine trials, improved filtration and water-saving production equipment address climate, biodiversity and resource-use challenges without abandoning local identity.

Each harvest is intended to remain recognisable in the finished expression. The mixed-variety project at Campea was conceived to produce wines that may differ from vintage to vintage while remaining faithful to their territorial and historical origins.

A cultural connection between Valdobbiadene and Venice is another part of the brand’s identity. Both landscapes are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and the steep Rive with their manually installed wooden posts are compared with the wooden foundations and briccole of the Venetian lagoon.