Podere Pradarolo Farm is located in the municipality of Varano de’ Melegari in the province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy. The main body of the farm where the vineyards, wine cellar, and villa are located, is between 250 and 500 meters above sea level and is on the left bank of the river Ceno, where it forms a kind of natural amphitheater fully exposed to the south. One part is badlands and the rest is cultivated with fodder and vineyard.

The lands of Cretaceous origin, consisting of clays with interbedded sandstones, purplish sheen siltstones, and limestones. The microclimate is particularly interesting, for the cultivation of the vines, due to the fresh temperatures, the remarkable day-night thermal barrier and the constant marine originated breeze. Of the 60 hectares only 5 are planted with vines, 3 were planted in 1989 and 2 in 2005.

The villa was the Serravalle Podesta in 1400 when it was the most important centre, before Verano de’ Melegari became important through the settling of the Pallavicino family and the building of the Visconti style castle. Important work done in 1700 by the Giordani family, leading to the realization of the time scale and the private chapel still today dedicated to St. Bernardino of Siena. The cellar is made from an old barn for dairy cows

History

Emilia-Romagna's viticultural legacy dates back to ancient times, with both the Etruscans and Romans recognizing the value of the region's fertile terrains.

Subsequently, they initiated the cultivation of vineyards, thereby establishing the foundational pillars of the region's wine legacy. Over time, Emilia-Romagna welcomed various traders and settlers, and their collective contributions further shaped its wine traditions.

Terroir

Geographically, Emilia-Romagna spans from the expansive plains of the Po River to the rugged terrains of the Apennine Mountains. The region's climatic conditions, moderated by the Adriatic Sea, provide an optimal environment for viticulture. Its terroir, characterized by a composite soil structure of clay, silt, and sand, accentuates the uniqueness of its vineyards.

This particular soil composition ensures that grapes cultivated here encapsulate the region's intrinsic qualities, resulting in wines that reflect the true essence of Emilia-Romagna.

Wines

Emilia-Romagna is a repository of diverse wines, with Lambrusco often being the most recognized. However, its offerings extend beyond this effervescent variety. The region's Sangiovese reds are emblematic of its profound wine-producing expertise, while the Trebbiano whites exhibit a distinct lightness and elegance.

With an increasing emphasis on organic and natural wine production, Emilia-Romagna is poised to be at the forefront of contemporary vinicultural innovations, underscoring the belief that wine is not merely a beverage but a narrative of its origins.