Poderi Bricchi: A Vineyard, A Leap of Faith

The steep, overgrown property was a major financial and personal commitment for Castino, his father and uncle. Ownership replaced reliance on outside growers and allowed Scarpa to cultivate its own fruit. Soil analyses identified decomposed-tuff sand, cooler clay-rich marl and erosion-prone slopes. These findings guided Barbera and native-variety plantings, including 2,000 m² of Ruchè and about 1 ha of Brachetto. Green manure and organic fertilizer have replaced much of the farm manure used historically.