The hills of Soave are inextricably linked with the Garganega grape, and the Tessari sisters of the winery Suavia have been working for years to bring out the great potential of this area.
Suavia winery was founded in 1982 when the Tessari sisters’ parents, Giovanni Tessari and his wife Rosetta, began producing wines from grapes grown on the family’s land, thus ending the practice of selling their grapes to the local cooperative.
“Perhaps a risky move for the 1980s, a young couple with only daughters and no sons to drive a tractor, something unthinkable in the mentality of the time,” says one of the Tessari sisters. However, history has vindicated the boldness of this young couple, as all the sisters have joined the company with energy and a great desire to innovate and grow.
Suavia and the Tessari sisters—Meri, Alessandra, and Valentina—are deeply connected to these lands. They were born and raised in Contrada Fittà, located in the heart of Soave Classico. This area is known for its rich biodiversity.
Origin of the “I Luoghi” Line
The “I Luoghi” line is the result of the tireless efforts of Alessandra, Meri, and Valentina. It represents a genuine declaration of love for their land, its tradition, and its profound character. This project came to life after five years of hard work. It is embodied in 2,000 bottles that tell the story of a meticulous exploration in both the cellar and the vineyard. The exploration focused on the Fittà, Castellaro, and Tremenalto areas. Highly valued for viticulture in Soave Classico, these locations feature unique soil, exposure, and microclimate. As a result, they have earned recognition and inclusion in the production regulations as U.G.A. (Additional Geographical Units).
These three small plots owned by the company consistently yield highly expressive grapes. To produce the 2,000 bottles, we vinified the Garganega grapes separately. This variety is emblematic of the area. Despite the separation, we used the same method for all. This process resulted in three distinct and original wines that each stand out from the others.
The Soul of “I Luoghi”
Every bottle in this line is a genuine tribute to the places where the grapes originate. Suavia Winery has meticulously selected the vineyards, respecting the peculiarities of the soil, microclimate, and native grape varieties. A tasting experience within the “I Luoghi” range thus becomes a journey through the vineyards of Suavia Winery.
Fittà
This wine comes from a vineyard in the U.G.A. Fittà, covering 1 hectare at about 240 meters above sea level with a southeast exposure. The old vines (planted in 1943) yield a wine with intense aromatic expressiveness, featuring exotic, citrus, and floral notes.
Castellaro
The U.G.A. Castellaro knows how to produce a fine and elegant wine. A vineyard spanning approximately 3600 square meters at an altitude of around 200 meters above sea level, located on the northern slope of the ridge ascending towards the village of Fittà, characterized by a substrate of weathered basaltic volcanic rock. This wine boasts rich, ripe yellow fruit on the nose and highlights how the terroir, even within just a few hundred meters, can produce distinctly different wines.
Tremenalto
This U.G.A. features extremely rugged and almost wild terrain. Positioned at 80-130 meters above sea level, this vineyard lies at a lower altitude than the others. Covering about 2 hectares, it has a western exposure. The vineyard features a 25% slope, which reaches up to 40% in some areas.
The grapes from this vineyard produce a wine that stands out from the traditional image of Soave. It is a deep wine, slow to reveal itself and one that requires time to express its best qualities. On the palate, it is dense, complex, and provides the right satisfaction in every nuance.
This project by the Tessari sisters undoubtedly carries a significant message: talking about “volcanic soil” is extremely limiting. The three labels from Suavia winery showcase the great variety of expressions from the Soave region. Three vineyards, three soils, and three wines made from the same grape, with the same volcanic soil matrix, yet each representing a unique identity.