Podere Pradarolo Vej Bianco Antico 2022

Podere Pradarolo occupies a singular position in the hills surrounding Parma, where Alberto Carretti and Claudia Iannelli have created one of Italy's most distinctive natural wine estates. The farm sits in Varano de' Melegari at elevations between 250 and 500 meters, forming a natural south-facing amphitheater along the left bank of the Ceno River. The Carretti family has worked this land since 1971, though Alberto and Claudia brought a radical new vision when they took over.

Neither came from traditional winemaking backgrounds. Claudia worked internationally in the chemical industry while Alberto was a technician in the meat trade. This outsider perspective freed them to question conventional practices and embrace methods most producers had abandoned. Of the estate's 60 hectares, only five are planted to vines—three hectares established in 1989 and two more in 2005.

The terroir proves ideal for their uncompromising approach. Soils of Cretaceous origin combine clays, sandstones, purplish siltstones, and limestones with 12% active limestone content. A constant marine-originated breeze and dramatic day-night temperature swings create conditions where organic viticulture thrives without chemical intervention. They treat vines only with Bordeaux mixture and maintain natural grass cover between rows.

In the cellar, Podere Pradarolo practices extend maceration far beyond industry norms—60 to 90 days of skin contact for their whites. Fermentation relies exclusively on native yeasts, and wines see no sulfur dioxide, fining, or filtration. This ancient methodology, applied to local varieties like Malvasia di Candia Aromatica and Barbera, produces wines of remarkable depth and aging potential.

The Vej Metodo Classico represents their most ambitious project: applying traditional Champagne methods to amber wine. Discover this and other boundary-pushing bottles among our natural wine best sellers and explore the full Italian natural wine collection.

Emilia-Romagna stretches across northern Italy from the Po River plains to the Apennine Mountains, producing some of the country's most celebrated foods and increasingly distinctive natural wines. The region encompasses approximately 58,000 hectares under vine, making it one of Italy's most prolific wine-producing areas. Viticulture here dates to Etruscan and Roman times, with traditions shaped by centuries of traders and settlers.

Podere Pradarolo sits in the province of Parma, specifically in Varano de' Melegari along the Ceno River valley. This area occupies the foothills where the Po plain meets the Apennines, creating microclimates distinct from the broader regional character. Elevations range from 250 to 500 meters, with south-facing slopes that capture full sun exposure while benefiting from cool mountain air drainage at night.

The geology proves remarkably complex. Soils of Cretaceous origin combine clays interbedded with sandstones, purplish siltstones, and limestones. This mineral diversity, along with significant active limestone content, contributes structure and longevity to wines grown here. The Adriatic Sea's moderating influence reaches inland, tempering summer heat while constant breezes of marine origin provide natural protection against fungal pressure.

While Lambrusco dominates Emilia-Romagna's production and international reputation, the region cultivates numerous indigenous varieties deserving wider recognition. Malvasia di Candia Aromatica thrives in the Parma hills, producing aromatic whites and amber wines with distinctive floral and stone fruit character. Barbera and local red varieties like Termarina round out plantings at estates focused on terroir expression over commercial appeal.

Natural winemaking has found fertile ground in Emilia-Romagna, where producers embrace extended macerations, wild fermentations, and minimal intervention to honor these traditional varieties. Explore wines from this dynamic region among our natural wine best sellers and discover the full Italian collection.