La Stoppa

The unstoppable La Stoppa is located in North-West Emilia Romagna and covers over 50ha, 32ha of which are vines. The founder of La Stoppa, a wealthy urban lawyer had made the decision in the early 19th century to replant the existing varieties with more International and Globally popular culprits such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio amongst others. However, this decision was reversed by current owner Elena and vigneron Giulio Armani who had realised that these varieties were not working well with the terroirs of La Stoppa, and so they replanted the vineyard with local varieties Barbera, Bonarda, Malvasia Candida, Ortrugo, and also Trebbiano. Soils in the vineyard are heavy clay with limestone, with iron and galet subsoils. The vines have not been treated to chemical spray since the 90's (officially certified by Demeter in 2008). When it comes to cellar techniques, Giuliu prefers long skin maceration and ageing occurs in old oak barrels. S02 is never used throughout vinification.