PIANTA GROSSA

Valle d’Aosta / Italy

Luciano Zoppo Ronzero continues to steward three generations of winemaking at Pianta Grossa, with a respect for the past but an eye towards the future. The old estate in the heart of Donnas, in Valle D’Aosta, was centered around a great chestnut tree in the courtyard of the old farmhouse, and was commonly known as Pianta Grossa, or “the big tree”. When it finally died of an illness in 2009, it was cut down with great regret. However, analysis of the rings revealed that it had lived 396 years, nearly as long as the historic vineyard that it shaded.

Hence, the winery Piantagrosso was born. To honor the tree, and the heritage of the estate, Luciano founded a new winery in 2014 with the intent to be the first independent winemaker in DOC Donnas to create farm-to-bottle premium wines, managing every aspect from end to end.

The 400-year-old farm consists of four hectares of vineyard, planted on incredibly steep slopes at 500 meters above sea level. The slopes themselves have been worked as a vineyard since the 1600’s, held up by 500-year-old stone terraces with imposing pergolas supporting the vines.

Luciano is a Nebbiolo specialist, called Picotendro here. In addition to one white wine, Erbaluce, he produces four Nebbiolos: two age-worthy oak-aged reserves, a refreshing Rosé, and the early-drinking “396”, named in honor of the age of the great tree. Working entirely organically, the vineyard sees no irrigation, chemical treatments, or pesticides, and the steep slopes are worked and harvested entirely by hand.

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PIANTA GROSSA

Valle d’Aosta / Italy

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