Camilucci

In the tiny commune of Rodengo-Saiano Stefano Camilucci farms 18ha of vines organically on ancient, morainic, fossil-rich soils. He is making some of the most interesting and delicious Franciacorta wines we have ever tasted by doing exactly the opposite of what most other producers do. He never employs high levels of dosage or malolactic fermentation in production. His singular focus us creating laser-focused fresh, pure, complex wines that allow their place of origin to shine and so he enters into a very risky game of chicken with mother nature every year by harvesting every berry used in his wines late and then laying the fruit bare in the wines without high levels of residual sugar, oak, or malolactic fermentation to hide a flaw or soften a corner. It is a risky endeavor, but we would not want it any other way. These wines are stunners and Stefano is just awesome. He also grows hops, barley, spelt, and saffron. He makes flour, brews beers (amazing beers!!), and grows fruits and nuts as well. We were definitely not looking for a Franciacorta producer, of that you may be certain. Yet, as we walked away from our first meeting with Stefano, we were discussing what to include on the first order and that we should return after tasting in the Piemonte pavilion for a palate cleanser and some more beer!!