The essence of Davide Spillare’s craft lies in the Rugoli Vecchie Vigne. The grapes for this wine are sourced from a vineyard where Garganega vines have thrived for over 60 years. These venerable vines, with trunks as thick as trees, are deeply rooted in volcanic basalt, making them remarkably resistant to fungal diseases.
Nestled under shade-providing pergolas—making a notable comeback in response to the ever-warming climate—the vines produce small, concentrated, and aromatic grapes. Davide manages this ancient vineyard using biodynamic principles and takes meticulous care of every vine, ensuring that these old vines, and consequently the Vecchie Vigne, will continue to flourish for years to come.
Due to weather variability, this masterpiece isn’t produced every year. When conditions permit, Davide ferments the wine spontaneously with skins and stems, without temperature control. After pressing, the wine matures for over a year in used barriques before being bottled unfiltered and unsulfured.
Style
Mature yellow fruit melds with nutty nuances, foliage, and Mediterranean herbs. On the palate, salty and floral notes emerge. The acidity, combined with tannins, creates structure and counterbalances the naturally soft texture of the Garganega grape, adding tension, vitality, and precision. A long, persistent finish offers excellent aging potential for a decade or more.
Technical Details
- Grape Variety: 100% Garganega
- Cultivation: According to Vinnatur principles
- Vineyard: Volcanic soils near Gambellara; 70-year-old vines
- Harvest: Hand-picked
- Fermentation: Spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts; skin contact in steel tanks
- Aging: 1 year in used barriques, 1 year in bottle
- Filtration: None
- SO₂: Unsulfured
- Closure: Natural cork
- Alcohol Content: 12.5% vol
- Serving Temperature: 10–12°C
- Ideal Drinking Window: Now–2030
- Volume and Price per Liter: 0.75 l (€37.37/l)
All winemakers featured by Vinonudo cultivate their vineyards using compost, organic fertilizers, and natural preparations, refraining from herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic fertilizers.
