Contrada Pianodario 2016

Pianodario is located at an average elevation of 775 meters a.s.l., between Montelaguardia and Randazzo. It is an area of 7.91 hectares and 3.8 hectares are vineyards, characterized by terraces with dry-stone walls and with a degrading morphology from South to North with an average slope of 7%. The territory in which the vineyards are located is characterized by formations of volcanic origin between the ages of 15,000 and 4,000 years. It is possible to hypothesize a stratigraphic succession below the vineyards of Contrada Pianodario in which, under a covering of soil, there are lands between 15,000 and 4,000 years on much older lands (40,000-30,000 years).

In 2016, generally higher temperatures were recorded until the beginning of Spring. Late Spring and Summer were cooler than last year. In Autumn, at the end of the grape harvest, the temperature rose again. The 2016 rainfall returned to normal compared to the anomalies of 2015. It was generally lower but better distributed. We had good rains in June, before ripening, and scarce rains in the harvest period (August-September). In Spring, good water availability and temperature allowed an excellent development of the vine and an excellent beginning of ripening. The lowest temperatures from July onwards provided the ideal conditions for a slow and full ripening of the grapes. The white grapes had a good aroma and the red grapes a good structure. It was a vintage with abnormal climatic events due to unusual summer rains, but they did not hinder the health of the grapes and the quality of the wines that turned out to be concentrated and fragrant and with good acidity, an essential prerogative for a good drink and for aging capacity.