Variety: Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella

Hart & Cru was introduced to this wine by Christoph Kuenzli, from the famed Le Piane winery in northern Piemonte. Finding a great producer in the hills of Valpolicella can be tough so leaning on friends always helps. There are many regions in Italy that show the detrimental hand of western trends. Ca’La Bionda is located in the historic “classic” zone of the Valpolicella region. Founded in 1902, the family’s focus has always been on the grapes and the vineyard work. They presently cultivate 25 hectares. Alessandro Castellani is the current, fourth-generation winemaker. His wines are held in six-foot-tall oak casks until ready to drink. Certain wines are aged longer than others. But at every step of the way, attention is given to tradition, as opposed to modern, quick winemaking. Alessandro’s wines rarely receive much mainstream press, which is fine by him.

Ca’ La Bionda opted against the fashionable choice of the ripasso method often seen in the Valpolicella zone. The Casalvegri vineyard is noted for its fantastic soil composition, elevation, and micro-climate; all the grapes used come from this site. This considered, there is no ripasso method used for the wine. After ageing in stainless, the wine ages for 18 months in 3000 liter barrels, and another six months in bottle before release.