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Garganuda

Valpolicella DOC 2018

Price: $29.95
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Tasting notes

This is one of the most honest expressions of Valpolicella you can find: tart cherry, wet stone, and a savory, mineral-driven finish that comes directly from biodynamically farmed volcanic soils in Gambellara. At 12.5% ABV with under 10 mg/L sulfites, it drinks with a lightness and tension that makes it easy to reach for a second glass.

BodyFruitTanninAcidity
Tart CherryWet StoneCloveRed Currant
  • Style: Dry, light-bodied red; ruby; tart cherry, stone, and red berries; 12.5% ABV
  • Grapes & Terroir: 80% Corvina, 20% Rondinella; biodynamic (uncertified); volcanic soils, Gambellara/Valpolicella, Veneto
  • Winemaking: Spontaneous fermentation; old oak and stainless steel aging; unfined, unfiltered; no added sulfites (<10 mg/L)
  • Serving: Serve at 58-62F; can be enjoyed with a slight chill; 15 min open if just uncorked
  • Pairing: Tomato-based pasta, grilled white fish, lean charcuterie, fresh cheeses, Venetian cicchetti
  • Similar To: For fans of light-bodied, high-acid reds like Beaujolais or Schiava who want volcanic terroir and zero intervention

Garganuda is Andrea Fiorini Carbognin's project in Soave and Valpolicella, made in collaboration with his brother-in-law Stefano Menti at the Menti winery in Gambellara, Veneto. The vineyards are small parcels farmed biodynamically on volcanic soil, without chemical inputs. A flock of sheep grazes between the vine rows, managing weeds and contributing to soil health.

This Valpolicella DOC is a blend of 80% Corvina and 20% Rondinella sourced from young vines. Corvina brings the sour cherry aromatics and acidity that define the appellation; Rondinella adds floral lift and color. Fermentation is spontaneous using only native yeasts, with no additions in the cellar.

The wine is aged in old oak barrels and stainless steel, then bottled unfined and unfiltered with no added sulfites (under 10 mg/L total). At 12.5% ABV it sits on the lighter end of the red wine spectrum, with a dry, mineral-edged palate and fine-grained tannins.

Valpolicella DOC is produced in the province of Verona in northeastern Veneto. The Classico zone covers the valleys of Fumane, Marano, Negrar, San Pietro in Cariano, and Sant'Ambrogio, with terraced hillside vineyards on the Monti Lessini foothills north of Verona. This wine falls under the broader Valpolicella DOC appellation.

Works well alongside tomato-based pasta dishes, grilled white fish, or a classic Venetian cicchetti spread. The wine's bright acidity and mineral edge also make it a practical match for lean charcuterie and fresh cheeses. Slightly chilled at around 58-60F, it holds its own as a standalone aperitivo.

Wine details

Dry/Sweet:, Dry
Wine Type:, Red Wine
Wine Style:, Light Body
Grapes:, Corvina, Rondinella
Farming:, Organic and Biodynamic
Vintage:, 2018
Alcohol:, 12.5%
Country:, Italy
Region:, Veneto
Appellation:, Valpolicella DOC
Bottle Size:, 750ml
Sugar Level:, Zero Added Sugar

We will process and ship your order in 2-3 business days, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking as soon as the Carrier scans the shipping label.

Ground shipping time depends on location, here's a breakdown:

West Coast: 1-2 business days
Midwest: 3-4 business days
East Coast: 5 business days

Process time is not shipping time. Shipping time starts from the days successive to the day of shipping, after the order has been processed.

See here our shipping policy.


Important Compliance Requirements

FedEx and other carriers we might occasionally use can only deliver wine to customers who are 21 years or older. Someone must be at the address to receive the package, carriers don't just drop a package and leave. They must ensure the person receiving the wine is 21 or older.


Re-shipping a Package

If a package is returned to us after three failed delivery attempts, we can only re-ship the wine upon payment of a re-shipping fee, to be determined based on the shipping address and number of bottles. Shipping wine is extremely expensive. We are sorry about this, but we have no other choice. Please make sure there's always someone at the address you enter as your shipping address.

If you'd like to receive a refund for a package that was returned to us after FedEx made three delivery attempts, we can do that but we must keep a $20 refund fee; FedEx charges us a lot of money for returns, unfortunately, I can't stress this enough.


Re-routing a Package

If you'd like to reroute a package after it's been shipped, we can do so for a $20 re-routing fee. We cannot re-route a package across state borders. For any change of address, please contact us as soon as possible, ideally within 1-2 days from placing the order or we cannot guarantee we'll be able to reroute or change your order's shipping address.


Canceling an Order

If you'd like to cancel an order after it's been shipped, we can do so upon payment of a small cancellation fee – the amount depends on the size of the order. Carriers charge us a lot of money to recall a package en-route.


Heat/Frost damage

We are not responsible for heat- or frost-related issues. We offer ice-packs upon request. Please let us know if you think that there could be heat-related issues. If we don't hear anything from you regarding weather issues before an order is shipped, or if you don't request a hold due to the weather, we are not responsible for heat/frost damage.


Placed an order. What next?

1. You will receive an order confirmation email with your order summary.*

2. As soon as your order ships from the warehouse, usually within 2-3 business days, this applies to all shipping rates, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with your tracking information. 2DAY shipping refers to shipping time; we still need 2-3 business days to prepare an order. We need to pick and pack, QA, add printed collateral, and palletize the orders.

3. Please track your package using the tracking service.

4. The carrier will attempt delivery a maximum of 3 times. After 3 delivery attempts, your package will be sent back to our warehouse.**

*Please ensure your email address is correct; otherwise, you will not receive the order and shipping confirmation emails.

**If delivery is attempted 3 times without success, or if you fail to retrieve your package from the carrier depot by the stated deadline, the shipping fee will not be refunded to the customer.

Returns Policy

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us at (424) 414-2040 or via e-mail at hello@primalwine.com between 9 am and 5 pm Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Sunday, we would like to understand and try to solve your concerns. We can offer refunds only as store credit.

Producer profile

Garganuda

Garganuda is the wine project of Andrea Fiorini Carbognin, launched in collaboration with his brother-in-law Stefano Menti of the historic Giovanni Menti estate in Gambellara, Veneto. The Menti family winery was established at the end of the 19th century by Giovanni Menti, who cultivated garganega, fruits, and vegetables on the volcanic soils of Gambellara. Andrea, having worked closely with Stefano at the Menti winery for many years, identified small vineyard parcels he could transition to biodynamic farming. The wines are produced at the Menti facility. The name Garganuda combines 'Garganega,' Soave's primary grape, with 'nuda,' the Italian word for naked, signaling the minimal-intervention approach.

All Garganuda vineyards are farmed without chemicals on volcanic soil. Biodynamic practices guide the farming, and a flock of sheep grazes between the vine rows, controlling weeds and contributing to the microbial health of the soil without compacting it. Stefano Menti has guided Andrea through the biodynamic transition, applying the same philosophy used across the Menti estate. The certification status is listed as uncertified organic and biodynamic.

Fermentation is spontaneous using only native yeasts, with no additions in the cellar. The Valpolicella is aged in old oak barrels and stainless steel, then bottled unfined and unfiltered. Total sulfites are under 10 mg/L with no sulfites added. The wine is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Residual sugar is under 1 g/L.

Wine region

Veneto, Italy

Valpolicella is a viticultural zone in the province of Verona, northeastern Veneto, situated east of Lake Garda and north of the Adige river. The region divides into three geographic subzones: the Classico zone, covering the valleys of Fumane, Marano, Negrar, San Pietro in Cariano, and Sant'Ambrogio; the Valpantena; and the broader eastern extension toward Soave. The Classico zone, with its terraced hillside vineyards climbing the Monti Lessini foothills, is regarded as the historical and qualitative heartland of the appellation. Valpolicella received DOC status in 1968.

The DOC requires wines to contain 45-95% Corvina Veronese (or Corvinone), 5-30% Rondinella, and up to 25% other permitted red varieties. Corvina is the dominant and most prized grape, contributing sour cherry aromatics, violet, and almond notes along with a high skin-to-juice ratio suited to the appellation's appassimento wines. Rondinella adds floral character, color, and resilience. Beyond the standard Valpolicella DOC, the region also produces Valpolicella Ripasso DOC, and the DOCG-level Amarone della Valpolicella and Recioto della Valpolicella. The nearby Gambellara DOC, where Garganuda's home winery is based, sits in the province of Vicenza on ancient basalt-based volcanic soils at altitudes of 250-350 meters, at the foot of the Calvarina volcano.

Frequently asked question

We will process and ship your order in 2-3 business days, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking as soon as the Carrier scans the shipping label.

Ground shipping time depends on location, here's a breakdown:

West Coast: 1-2 business days
Midwest: 3-4 business days
East Coast: 5 business days

Process time is not shipping time. Shipping time starts from the days successive to the day of shipping, after the order has been processed.

See here our shipping policy.

Signature on delivery is mandatory for wine deliveries. Please make sure someone is at the shipping address to sign for the package.

If applicable, please consider delivering the package to a business address to ensure someone is available to sign for the package.

We also have the option of delivering the package to a Carrier's store for pickup. Please reach out to us to coordinate.

Carrier will try to delivery a package up to three times before returning the package to us.

See here our shipping policy.

If you miss a delivery and a package gets returned to us we have two options:

1) Reship the package right away: due to the very high cost of shipping and returns, we must charge a re-shipping fee to be determined based on package size and shipping destination.

2) Consolidate the returned package with your next order: this option is free of charge and it's the most popular option.

See here our shipping policy.

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