Bergianti

Gianluca Bergianti makes wine, while his wife Simona is responsible for the agricultural side of Terrevive—their shared project, which they launched in the late 2000s. From the very beginning, their farming has been based on biodynamic principles, though Gianluca and Simona prefer to use the term traditional. Their ampelographic focus is on Salamino and Sorbara, the two Lambrusco varieties typical of the region, complemented by white Pignoletto and, soon, a bit of Trebbiano Modenese.

Gianluca’s family originally comes from Carpi, a small town in the flat heartland of Lambrusco. The family had never been involved in wine—and neither had Gianluca at first. After high school, he began studying engineering, but after just one year, he gave up that idea and decided to travel around Italy, explore, and reflect on his future.

Six months later, he enrolled at the University of Pisa to study agricultural sciences and oenology—and he stuck with it. Fortunately so, because today Gianluca is one of the most important and accomplished winemakers in Emilia. Together with his wife Simona, who is also an agricultural scientist and oversees the farming on their 16-hectare estate in Gargallo, he launched the Terrevive project in the late 2000s.

From the outset, their work has been guided by biodynamic methods, though the couple prefers to describe their approach simply as traditional. Their focus is on the local Lambrusco varieties Salamino and Sorbara, complemented by white Pignoletto and, in the near future, a small amount of Trebbiano Modenese.

Gianluca’s cellar is inspired by a nearby 16th-century cold house—a domed hill of earth used for natural refrigeration, with stable temperatures between 14 and 16°C inside. It is here that he now vinifies a total of seven wines: five sparkling (Frizzante and Spumante) and two still whites. All fermentations are spontaneous, interventions are minimal (no fining or filtration, low sulfur use).

In general, his wines are elegant and structured, with bright acidity, good tension, fine fruit, and plenty of character.