Rossella Mastrotto left a career in business administration in 2014 to farm an old family plot of vines she had always loved but never tended. What followed was two years of travel across wine regions from Australia to South Africa, France to Portugal, absorbing techniques and perspectives before returning to that neglected land above Gambellara, ready to begin.
Backstory
Volcanalia was founded in 2014 in the Veneto hillside town of Gambellara, between Verona and Vicenza. The estate takes its name from the ancient Roman Volcanalia, a harvest festival held on August 23rd in honor of the god Vulcan, deity of fire and the forge. The name also reflects the volcanic basalt soils beneath the vines, formed from lava flows some 45 million years ago. Rossella farms around 4 hectares, working vineyards that include old Garganega vines of 40 to 50 years of age.
The Region
Gambellara sits at the southern edge of the Lessini Mountains, approximately 300 meters above sea level. The terrain is defined by ancient volcanic activity, with soils of black basalt and tufa that drain freely and retain heat efficiently. The area has long produced Garganega, the same grape used in neighboring Soave, though Gambellara's volcanic soils give wines a distinctly mineral and saline quality absent in most neighboring regions.
Vineyards and Farming
Rossella farms biodynamically, following the teachings of Rudolf Steiner and applying preparations including biodynamic horn manure to stimulate soil microbiology. She maintains a philosophy of observation and minimal input, relying on natural balance among grass, insects, and soil microorganisms rather than synthetic treatments. Manual labor takes priority over machinery to protect the old vines and fragile volcanic soil structure.
Winemaking
Wines are made with soft pressing, spontaneous fermentation using indigenous yeasts, and minimal additions throughout the process. Volcanalia produces still white wines, orange wines with extended skin contact, pét-nat sparkling wines, and méthode classique wines. Each wine is bottled without fining or filtration, preserving the character of the vintage and the vitality of the volcanic terroir.
The Wines
The Volcanalia range includes the Battibaleno orange wine, the Marameo red, and the Patapum sparkling, among others. Garganega is the foundation of the white and orange wines, bringing its characteristic apricot and almond notes into focus through skin contact and oxidative aging. The wines are vivid, textured, and deeply rooted in the particular volcanic character of the Gambellara hills.
