Awards for Vinonudo’s Winemakers

The annual Slow Wine Guide has been published, and as always, several awards were presented to mark the occasion.

The Lifetime Achievement Award went, deservedly, to Teobaldo Rivella. His Barbaresco Montestefano is unquestionably one of Italy’s great red wines. We have made several attempts to add it to our portfolio, but beyond his uncompromising production principles, Teobaldo is also very much a man of the old school when it comes to communication. Getting in touch with him is no easy task.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the award for Best Young Winemaker went this year to Nikolas Juretic – another thoroughly deserving winner, in our view. A few years ago, Nikolas took over his parents’ winery in Cormons, in Friuli’s Collio region. He subsequently converted the vineyards surrounding the small town to biodynamic farming. The main varieties grown here are the regional classics Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Malvasia. His highly individual approach to the specific characteristics of each vineyard site and vintage, combined with a keen sensitivity to the wine’s evolution in the cellar and an extraordinary instinct for finesse, has propelled Nikolas into the ranks of Italy’s finest producers in remarkably little time. His wines are precise and vibrant, fresh and profound.

The award for the most sustainable winery was, to our delight, presented to Thomas Niedermayr. At his Gandberg estate in Eppan, he is continuing the work his father began almost 30 years ago, while taking it several steps further – with agroforestry, biodiversity and more. Anyone curious to discover just how good PIWI grape varieties – fungus-resistant varieties such as Bronner, Solaris and Souvignier Gris – can taste should definitely give his wines a try.

At Vinonudo, we feel fortunate to work with such outstanding winemakers and congratulate them on these well-deserved awards!