Tenute Tozzi
Tenute Tozzi, Terra Dei Gessi Ravenna Bianco 2023
An aromatic, young, and remarkably fine Bianco that will instantly captivate lovers of textured, high-altitude northern Italian whites. Elegantly fluid, smooth, and beautifully balanced on the palate, it expresses the pristine essence of its unique, chalk-driven terroir. Intense scents of white peach, citrus blossoms, and subtle field herbs are enhanced by a light-to-medium, highly expressive body with a crisp, intensely savory finish. Excellent as an elegant aperitif, it pairs wonderfully with fresh appetizers, vegetable risottos, white meats, and delicate seafood dishes.
Integrated Viticulture focusing on sustainable agriculture with minimal cellar intervention, completely adapted to the unique, high-altitude microclimate of the regional park. Driven by a strict, quality-focused artisanal philosophy, all vital vineyard maintenance—including precision winter pruning and the selective harvesting of the Manzoni Bianco, Albana, and Chardonnay grapes—is performed meticulously by hand to optimize cluster health and preserve varietal purity.
Hand-harvested grapes are 100% destemmed upon reaching the cellar. The fruit undergoes a brief prefermentative cold maceration for 48–72 hours to optimize the aromatic extraction of the local varieties, followed by a temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 22–24°C to safeguard fruit definition. Following fermentation and initial racking, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation entirely in stainless steel. It is then aged on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks for a minimum of 6 months, followed by at least 2 months of bottle refinement before release.
The 2023 growing season in Emilia-Romagna began with a cold, dry winter, followed by an unusually warm February that sparked early vegetative activity. Spring brought regular, intense rainstorms that successfully replenished the deep water tables, though a sudden drop in early spring temperatures subsequently delayed budbreak. A particularly wet May demanded rigorous and relentless vineyard intervention to manage canopy health. Conditions stabilized beautifully with a warmer-than-average June, though July and August tested the high-altitude sites with several swift, localized hailstorms. Ultimately, a fine, remarkably stable, and sun-drenched late summer carried directly into the harvest period, allowing this unique white blend to achieve superb aromatic complexity and phenolic maturity while locking in the brilliant, mineral-driven acidity characteristic of the vintage.
Vines are situated at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level with a fresh Northeast exposure within the Parco Regionale della Vena del Gesso Romagnola (Casola Valsenio, Ravenna). The soils are deeply characterized by the region's famous chalk veins (gessi) and rich sandstone formations. This unique, calcium-rich geological footprint guarantees exceptional vine health and intense aromatic development, imparting a distinct, razor-sharp saline mineral tension and structural freshness to the wine.