Soave, Colli Berici, Veneto - Dalla Terra

1 Owner: Stefano InamaWinemaker: Michele WasslerWebsite: soave , Colli berici , VenetoPhotos (top bar and above): Stefano Inama; Bradisismo vineyards; Giuseppe Inama; steep hillside Profile: Producing classic wines from the Veneto is the Inama family s vocation and passion. In the 1960s Giuseppe Inama, the estate's founder, began using his savings to purchase small plots of vineyards in the heart of the soave Classico region. At the time few understood the area's potential but Giuseppe believed that he could make a wine capable of restoring soave 's reputation by working with only top quality vineyards of old-vine Garganega ( soave s original grape). Today Inama comprises 70 acres of vineyards in the heart of the soave Classico and Giuseppe s son Stefano, who assumed control of winemaking in 1992 and has a worldly outlook, is considered a dynamic visionary of the region. Using Garganega, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc he has produced wines unique to the Inama also grows traditional Bordeaux varietals on 60 acres in the Colli berici , Italy s oldest DOC for Cabernet and Merlot grapes; their Carmen re vineyards here date back to the 1800s.

2 This historic, though little known zone south of Vicenza has a temperate climate and is marked by unique ancient geological seismic events called brady-seism volcanic ridges generating a soil extremely rich in trace elements and minerals. Inama feels this terroir is the most underrated and under-realized in Italy and his goal is to produce great wines from these hillsides. His joint venture with Sabatino Di Properzio of Fattoria La Valentina produces a massive Abruzzese wine called Binomio from a 10-acre vineyard at 1,640 altitude planted with Montepulciano. Vineyards and Vinification: The climate in soave Classico is influenced by the Mediterranean s warm temperatures but it has less humidity than the coast due to its hilly position. This provides a long growing season, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly to full maturity. Inama has conducted intensive research and canopy management in order to maximize concentration in the fruit while retaining the grapes distinc-tive qualities and the area s unique terroir.

3 soave Classico s volcanic soil imparts a floral aroma and a discernible character on the palate. Although the winery is modern, intervention during winemaking is kept to a minimum. Grapes are picked fully ripe and after a short macera-tion and gentle pressing the must is left to settle before a tempera-ture-controlled fermentation and spontaneous malolactic fermenta-tion. Wines are bottled with a minimum of fining and filtration, preserv-ing both aromatic intensity and natural : | Fax: 85 Sheehy Court, Napa, CA | Wines: INAMAS oave Classico Vin soave DOC: 100% Garganega, stainless Classico Vigneti di Foscarino DOC: 100% Garganega, fermented/aged seven months in old Classico Vigneto du Lot DOC: 100% Garganega, fermented/aged eight months in 30% new Blanc Vulcaia-Fum IGT: 100% Sauvignon, fermented/aged eight months in 30% new Piu Colli berici DOC: 60% Carmenere, 30% Merlot, 10% other varieties from Colli berici , one year in Veneto Rosso IGT: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Carmenere from Colli berici , 15 months in di San Lorenzo Colli berici DOC Carmenere Riserva:100% Carmenere, sourced from a selection of the best grapes grown exclusively in the Carmenere vineyard situated in Localit San Germano dei berici .

4 This is seriously good wine by any standard white burgundy has to be very good to offer more. , April 29, 2008 Inama is one of soave s, Italy s actually, most important producers who in the 1990s also expanded his holdings to the Colli berici area of Veneto where he produces highly interesting red wines too. Ian D Agata, 2017 Photo: Hand harvesting. All photos: Gio Martorana.