Pievalta

Brand Description

Verdicchio’s long tradition as the Marche’s banner grape and its reputation as one of Italy’s greatest Italian white varieties is highly respected by the stewards of viniculture at Pievalta. Verdicchio production is centered in two place-name appellations of the Marche region: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and Verdicchio di Matelica. Pievalta terroir is located in the former, and the wines of Jesi tell the story of their microclimate and particular subzone. Pievalta’s young history was made possible by the vision of Silvano Brescianini (winemaker and Managing Partner of Barone Pizzini) who tapped enologist Alessandro Fenino to manage this ambitious project in 2002.

Location of Vineyard

Pievalta farms 26.5 hectares of estate-owned vineyards in two key sites flanking both banks of the Esino River Valley in the province of Ancona. Vineyards on the left bank (planted in the 1970s) are predominately clay and limestone, and have been updated with new plantings for higher density. Vineyards flanking the right bank of the Esino River are of higher elevation and steep slopes, and marked by soils of granitic sandstone. All work in the vineyards is painstakingly carried out by hand throughout all events during the growing season.

Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy

Pievalta refrains from conventional winemaking production, and has, since the outset, been farmed organically. In 2005, Alessandro also began conversion to biodynamic farming (Demeter certified since 2008) using legume cover crops between the rows and biodynamic preparations. In philosophy and practice, Pievalta aims to resurrect the spirit of their soils. To this effect, the makers act as stewards of their vineyards, and within the context of each season, usher a transparent expression of Verdicchio into wine. Using a less-is-more approach, Alessandro and his team allow the grape and terroir to take its natural course with very little intervention. Since 2009, all wines have been produced free of any animal additives.

Owner: BARONE PIZZINI SPA
Winemaker: ALESSANDRO FENINO/SILVANO BRESCIANINI
Total acreage under vine: 68
Founded: 2003
Production: 12,000

Chalky minerality dominates with a restrained profile and fruit. A bit almondy upon first sniff, it then opens up to citrus notes and lanolin. Firm, if not racy, acidity with medium body and weight. Savory, chewy and balanced in the finish despite its bite. — acclaim for 2023 Pievalta Tre Ripe Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi from James Suckling, Jan 2025

A complex wine focused on chalky minerality and tension yet balanced by supple fruit. Intense and multifaceted on the nose, showing white pepper, flowers, Mirabelle plums and green apples with citrus and cedar vibrancy. Full-bodied, it has a sort of grapefruit, Puligny-like, herbaceous quality and a tight-knit structure with lemony acidity and refined texture but a chewy finish full of energy. It deserves time to open properly in the glass. — acclaim for 2021 Pievalta San Paolo Castelli di Jesi from James Suckling, Jan 2025

“This wine is a blend of fruit from various estate parcels. The organic and biodynamic Pievalta 2021 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Superiore Tre Ripe ferments with indigenous yeasts and ages on the lees briefly before bottling. The entire annual production is around 85,000 bottles. Fruit is from old vines, and there is a tiny bit of Trebbiano that was planted by mistake. Verdicchio is susceptible to fungal disease, and traditionally, Trebbiano was added in years that might have required more volume. This wine has a very clean, freshly pressed quality that adds to its immediate drinking appeal. Lemon and zesty peach cedes to dusty mineral tones.” — acclaim for 2021 Pievalta Tre Ripe Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi from Wine Advocate, Jul 2024

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Pievalta

Brand Description

Location of Vineyard

Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy

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Pievalta San Paolo Castelli di Jesi

Pievalta Tre Ripe Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi