Malauva "Rosso En Commune" Umbria, Italy 2022

 FROM SELECTIONATUREL:

THE WINE: A collaboration with Ajola and Gazzetta. This rosato is a blend of Chardonnay from Osarella, fermented on the skins for five days, pressed to tank and infused for two days with the skins of Sangiovese. Aged in tank until the following spring. No filtering or fining and no added sulfur.

THE PRODUCER: Malauva's "Casa Agricola" is nestled in Castel Giorgio, within the province of Terni. The property graces the fringes of the Alfina volcanic plateau, approximately 550 meters above sea level. This unique location, bordering Umbria, Tuscany, and Lazio, is a stone's throw away from Lago di Bolsena. Winemaking here has its own unique voice, with traditional grape varieties similar to Orvieto, but the make-up of terroir being an extension of the nearby volcanic lake.

The genesis of this story can be traced back to the summer of 2011. Elisa Cortese and Giovanni Adua embarked on a life-altering journey, leaving their hometowns of Rome and Turin behind. They purchased a ramshackle camper and set forth to explore the Italian countryside, immersing themselves in the organic farming program known as "wwoof-ing". This experience kindled a deep-seated passion for natural farming and sustainable living, setting the stage for their future endeavors.

Fast forward to 2017, the duo acquired a small farm perched on the hills above Castel Giorgio. They undertook the restoration of two hectares of old "maritata" vines, along with four hectares of forest and various farm buildings. They supplemented their vineyard by leasing additional nearby plots. The vineyard's old vines were planted in 1950 (a co-planting of the majority of varieties they work with), and interspersed with Procanico vines from 1970. The property is further adorned with hazelnut, apple, and cherry trees, adding to its biodiversity.

Their vision is to cultivate a diverse ecosystem where vineyards, olive trees, vegetable gardens, and animals coexist harmoniously. They also plan to open an agriturismo in the upcoming years, in order to share their unique vision and passion with visitors from around the world.