Pinot Grigio Venezia Giulia IGT “Winorang” 2017 – Castel San Mauro

The fantastically named Pinot Grigio Venezia Giulia IGT “Winorang” Castel San Mauro is made from 50 year old Pinot Grigio vines, ideally situated on Cormons Ponca soil. Macerated on the skins in marble vats for 72 hours before a long slow ferment and lees aging of around 9 months. Bottled without fining, filtration or any additions.

Castel san Mauro is located on the Italian north-eastern hills embracing Gorizia, known as Collio. It extends over an area of 25 hectares of which 6.5 are with vines. The south-facing land, among the woods of Mount Sabotino and the meadows that slope down towards the Isonzo River, its type consisting of marl and sandstone (Ponca) are the conditions that favour the cultivation of the vine since ancient times. From the mid Twentieth Century the farm belongs to the family of the current owner, Manuele Mauri. In 1958, Manuele’s Grandfather Gilberto began renovating the old villa and the old vineyards. Since taking over, Manuele has moved to organic and biodynamic farming practises, all to limit intervention. The 60 year old vines also provide the stock for the selection of new plants. Using raw material from nearby Aurisina on the coast Manuele has developed the world’s first marble tank fermentation system. Marble is hygienic, breathable, inert and imperceptible with respect to the liquid contained in it, it protects the vinification and ripening of wine from bacterial contamination, intrusion of wood components and roasting of stalks. The tank walls are modular allowing each container volume to be altered in respect of its contents and dismantled for cleaning and moving.