Denavolo is located in Emilia Romagna’s Piacenza Hills area (precisely in the Val di Trebbia valley), which has been renowned since ancient Roman times for its viticulture and winemaking tradition. It’s the brainchild and passion project of revered natural winemaker Giulio Armani, a genuinely charismatic pioneer of natural winemaking in Italy and beyond, who is also the winemaker at natural powerhouse La Stoppa.

Born in 2005, Denavolo has, since its very inception, sought to and amply succeeded in reviving and bringing to full glory Emilia’s local varieties and its ancient winemaking tradition. At about 500 mt altitude, Giulio’s vineyards see ancient vines of mainly Malvasia di Candia, Ortrugo, Trebbiano, and Marsanne farmed with rigorous natural and organic care on mostly calcareous soils.

As per Giulio’s signature style and firm beliefs, all wines see extended skin contact in the cellar during wild fermentation to extract complex flavors and depth of character from the grapes. These are natural wines (orange wines, all of them) that resonate and vibrate with a fascinating inner light, amber-colored, of course.

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.