Koi is the project of Flavio Restani, who after years working for established Lambrusco houses set out to make a more sustainable wine with a deep connection to its place. The name nods to Japanese culture, where the carp symbolizes perseverance and a refusal to conform.
Backstory
Restani founded Koi in 2018 in Valsamoggia, in the province of Bologna in Emilia-Romagna. Production is deliberately small, around 4000 bottles a year.
Vineyards and Farming
Flavio farms about 3.5 hectares of certified organic vineyards, with vines between thirty and fifty years old. They are trained in the nearly extinct Bellussi system, a high, sprawling form that encourages balanced, uniform growth but resists mechanization. Alongside Lambrusco he grows Trebbiano Modenese, Moscato, Pignoletto and Abana.
Winemaking
The wines are sparkling but raised entirely on their lees in the col fondo, or refermented in bottle, method. The result has the depth and complexity associated with traditional-method sparkling wines while staying leaner and lighter. Restani also blends in a small amount of frozen must from previous harvests for some cuvees.
The Wines
The flagship is Lambroosklyn, a frizzante Lambrusco, joined by other small-lot bottlings from the local grapes Flavio farms.
