2020 Tenuta Santa Caterina "Vignalina" Barbera d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy
ABOUT THIS WINE
The name of this Barbera pays homage to the mother and great-grandmother of Guido Carlo Alleva, both called Lina. Vignalina grows in the single vineyard Podere dei Mossetti, whose grapes ripen slowly and late, the best expression of the territory-vine identity. The soil is silt-sandy, with the presence of limestone and a balanced supply of organic substance.
Hand harvested and fermented at a constant 78-82°. Aged in oak barrels for about 10 months and in the bottle for a further 6 months.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Tenuta Santa Caterina is located in Grazzano Badoglio in the heart of Monferrato and the Piemontese province of Asti. These “Divine Hills” are a territory where vineyards have always been cultivated, a territory that boasts countless historical monuments that bear witness to it’s ancient traditions.
Founded as an agricultural estate around 1737, the estate was brought to new life in the year 2000 by Guido Carlo Alleva, who decided to return to the land of maternal origin and resume the family’s tradition of viticulture. Restored with care and respect for the past, by local artisans, the palace, arcades, the Italian Renaissance garden, and the historical cellar of Tenuta Santa Caterina have resumed life.
The centerpiece is the Infernòt, an underground cellar used for the conservation of wines that was dug into the tufo some 17 meters deep, an authentic jewel of hypogeal architecture now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The same care and attention has been paid to the recovery of the estate’s 20 hectares of vineyards, all restored following the principles of symbiotic agriculture with organic fertilization and microbiological consortia. In keeping with the land’s rich traditions, the native grapes of the Monferrato territory were planted: Barbera, Nebbiolo, Grignolino, Freisa, and others always present in the region as Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Dedicated to crafting wines of superior quality, value, and personality with an absolute respect for the environment. Tenuta Santa Caterina’s winemaking philosophy combines ancient wisdom and contemporary methods. Extreme care is put into every phase of production, from manual harvesting and methodical thinning of grape vines to organic fertilization and weed control without the use of chemical herbicides. These steps are crucial and imperative for our production, the ensuing wines are complex and a testament to their historic terroir and traditions.