The world of winemaking is experiencing a quiet revolution. More producers are shifting away from industrial methods and embracing vineyards as living ecosystems, prioritizing sustainability, soil health, and a deeper expression of terroir. This movement is not just about avoiding chemicals; it’s about harmonizing with nature.
Winemakers across Europe and beyond are reducing intervention, protecting biodiversity, and revitalizing soil to foster thriving ecosystems. Some adhere to organic principles, eliminating synthetic pesticides and herbicides, while others adopt biodynamic practices, incorporating lunar cycles and natural preparations. Sustainable wineries strive to minimize their environmental impact while maintaining flexibility in their farming choices.
In Champagne’s Côte des Bar, Petit Clergeot exemplifies this close-to-nature approach, ensuring that each vineyard plot is nurtured with long-term sustainability in mind. By avoiding synthetic treatments and enhancing soil vitality, the true character of the terroir shines. The NV Champagne Petit Clergeot 'Chevry' Blanc de Noirs captures this purity, showcasing bright citrus, crisp apple, and delicate floral notes, all carried by vibrant acidity to a complex finish. The minimal-intervention philosophy crafts wines that are elegant and deeply connected to their origins, made much like they were centuries ago.
In Tuscany, Tenuta la Novella blends organic and biodynamic principles to create wines that reflect tradition and innovation. Their high-altitude vineyards in Greve, rooted in sandstone and schist soils, provide ideal conditions for Sangiovese to develop depth. By attuning to the land’s rhythms and avoiding synthetic inputs, they ensure vibrant, expressive vineyards year after year. This careful approach translates into wines like the 2020 Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, where structured tannins and layered fruit reflect the balance achieved through natural vineyard management. Their 2024 Rosato, a one-off made after a particularly wet vintage, features a lively blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo, embodying their commitment to minimal intervention and making the best of the land, rain or shine.
Terenzuola, in the rugged coastal region of Liguria, employs both organic and biodynamic farming to cultivate wines that mirror their dynamic landscape. The 2022 Fosso di Corsano, Colli di Luni, alongside the 2023 Cinque Terre DOC Bianco, showcases the balance between land and sea, influenced by cooling Mediterranean breezes. With mineral-rich soils and strong coastal winds, the Fosso di Corsano reveals vibrant citrus zest and refreshing stone fruits, complemented by distinctive maritime character. Biodynamic practices promote soil health and biodiversity, allowing the vines to show their environment, resulting in a wine with refreshing energy and a lingering, savoury finish that captures the essence of the coastal terroir.
Lastly, In Friuli, Scarbolo champions organic viticulture by focusing on native grape varieties and minimal intervention techniques. Their commitment to eliminating synthetic treatments allows the vineyard's natural character to shine through, resulting in beatifully crafted wines such as the 2020 Pinot Grigio 'Salvadi' and the 2018 Areore. Each wine reflecting the unique terroir and the symbiotic relationship between the vines and their environment. This approach is a testament to the artistry of organic winemaking in Friuli, showcasing how thoughtful practices can enhance the authenticity and quality of the wines.
Each of these wineries represents the future of winemaking—one that respects the land, the farmers, and the resulting wines. Whether organic, biodynamic, or sustainable, these approaches ensure vineyards remain healthy and productive for generations to come. This shift proves that great wine starts in the vineyard, long before the first grape is harvested.