Folicello John Doe Orange 2023

Folicello began in the early 1980s when Marco Giovannini and Antonella Fontana decided to make wine for themselves and friends at their property in Castelfranco Emilia, near Modena. What started as a hobby rooted in countryside traditions has grown into a respected organic estate, though the couple's philosophy remains unchanged: produce authentic, living wines that reflect their connection to the land.

When Marco and Antonella began farming organically, such practices were rare in Italy and considerably more challenging than today. Their commitment extends beyond basic organic certification—the winery generates all its electricity from solar panels, uses fermentation byproducts to create vine treatments, and maintains biodiversity throughout the estate. In 2022, their daughter Irene joined the operation, bringing fresh energy to vineyard management and harvest coordination.

The estate spans approximately 10 hectares on the fertile Po Valley plains, with soils composed of clay, silt, and sand. Folicello focuses on indigenous Emilia-Romagna varieties: Lambrusco Grasparossa, Sangiovese, and Malbo Gentile for reds; Pignoletto, Montuni, Trebbiano, Pinot Bianco, and Malvasia di Candia Aromatica for whites. All grapes are hand-harvested and fermented spontaneously with native yeasts. The wines see no sulfur additions during production and are bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Beyond wine, Marco and Antonella produce organic grape juice, fruit jams, and traditional balsamic vinegar in a dedicated facility—products that reflect the diversified agricultural traditions of Emilia-Romagna. For them, winemaking represents a lifestyle choice rather than purely commercial pursuit, demonstrating that quality and sustainability can coexist.

The Folicello range includes several expressions worth exploring: Lambrusco Pét-Nat, Rosato Pét-Nat, John Doe Rosso, and Bianco Pét-Nat. Browse the full selection alongside other best-selling natural wines.

Emilia-Romagna occupies a broad swath of northern Italy, running 240 kilometers from the western border with Piedmont and Liguria to the Adriatic coast in the east. The region takes its name from the ancient Via Aemilia, the Roman road that connected Rimini to Piacenza and still forms the backbone of regional transport. Bologna serves as the capital, while Modena, Parma, and Reggio Emilia anchor the western Emilia zone where Folicello is located.

The landscape divides between the flat Po Valley plains to the north and the Apennine foothills rising to the south. Folicello's vineyards in Castelfranco Emilia sit on the alluvial plains, where centuries of river deposits have created composite soils of clay, silt, and sand. These fertile lowlands differ markedly from the hillside vineyards of Romagna, producing wines with distinct character and approachability.

Viticulture in Emilia-Romagna dates to the Etruscans in the seventh century BCE. The region now cultivates over 53,000 hectares of vines, producing roughly 6.1 million hectoliters annually—placing it among Italy's most prolific wine zones. Primary varieties include Trebbiano (30% of plantings), Lambrusco (18%), and Sangiovese (16%), alongside indigenous grapes like Pignoletto, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Montuni, and Malbo Gentile.

Orange wines have found receptive ground in Emilia-Romagna, where producers apply skin-contact techniques to aromatic local varieties. Malvasia di Candia Aromatica proves particularly suited to this style, its naturally intense aromatics amplified by maceration. The grape thrives in the provinces of Parma, Piacenza, and Modena, producing wines ranging from still to sparkling, dry to sweet.

Beyond wine, the region claims Italy's richest culinary heritage: Parmigiano-Reggiano, prosciutto di Parma, aceto balsamico tradizionale, and fresh pasta traditions that pair seamlessly with local wines.

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