Tenuta Del Trevale
For Raffaella and Nicola it is incredibly challenging and ecologically complex and, apart from needing an abundant sense of character, and the practical skills to deal with a tightly knit set of circumstances, such an environment can only be mastered and sustained by working at one with nature, and in a way that promotes the overall 'vineyard ecosystem' in the present and in order to safeguard it into the future.
At Tenuta del Travale, every aspect of what goes on both in the field and in the winery is aimed at being 'friendly' towards Planet Earth - for example, in a modern mechanised world, its is simply amazing that they not only tend to the vines by hand on such steep slopes, but horse power literally means that as they use horses to collect the baskets of grapes as a tractor on a 45 degree slope just doesn't work.
The small size of the vineyard, together with deliberately very low yield per plant inevitably results in high quality wine consistent with the owners philosophy (on life as well as on wine) and excellence is its natural destination. The vineyard, located on two slopes called 'Maneggio' and 'Anfiteatro', are exposed to the sun for the entire day and hot summer nights, but also subject to significant climatic change, strong winds at night as the land cools, lashing rain on winter days and sometimes a covering of snow. The majestic Sila mountains, which stand out behind, influence the climate, creating a unique atmosphere.
Unlike many wineries, Tenuta del Travale have committed themselves to making wine just from Calabrian Nerello. Historically known as an indigenous Sicilian vine, in reality the history of nerello has its roots deep in the Calabrian territory: cousin of Gaglioppo, it was considered so valuable that it was exported from the Cosenza hills towards the north of Italy and France to enrich the already robust and sustained flavor of sangiovese and cabernet. This practice, alongside a progressive affirmation of other more successful crops with a greater yield in the short term, resulted in the progressive abandonment of nerello in favor of other crops: thus by the 19th century the Calabrian Nerello became almost forgotten.
And it isn't just horses that you will find working in the vineyard, as the area literally teems with butterflies, bees and fireflies all busy about their business which is a sure way of knowing that everything in the garden is "coming up roses" (... well grapes). In their words, "Nature, is the true Queen of these places" and their role is to support it.
That, however, whilst key to the approach, is also a massive understatement, as the quality that distinguishes the Tenuta del Travale wines comes as well from a deep reflection that their wine is everything, and everything is their wine, what they call "a consolidated lifestyle", in other words an attention to the most minute of details that results in a level of craftsmanship that is the other pillar on which this story was built, and an elegance in their wines that is personified in the art that tells the story of the glorious past of a land conquered by ancient peoples in which the entire world of knowledge takes root and develops progressively and now adorns their labels.
Against the odds...
Eleuteria
Highly recognised an exquisite rare wine amongst the best in Italy and a superb expression of the elegance of Nerello. The grapes are grown at an altitude of 520 meters which, whilst ideal for winemaking in this part of the world,... defy even the most difficult practices in winemaking. The terrain is foreboding, yet the end to end production is carried out entirely manually reflecting a commitment to sustainable agriculture, saving energy and waste as well as promoting the prevailing ecosystem.
Esmen Tetra
Luminous ruby. The nose is a succession of wild berries, humus, vegetal bush and rhubarb, then macerated red flowers, licorice root, on the bottom well-assorted touch of dark spices, accents of cinchona and iron hints. Expressive sip of the grape, flattering for freshness and tannic scan, warmth in the right dose, closes elegant on a wide vegetal return.
