Natalina Grandi

Natalina Grandi is a family-owned business that has been producing wine out of passion for several generations. Their property covers about five hectares of land planted with vines, both in the plains and on the hills, in the area of Monti di Mezzo, one of the best zones in Gambellara, where the vineyards benefit from sunlight all day long. The focal point of the business is the quality of the wine, achieved through low production in the vineyard, hand-picking of grapes, years of experience, and the use of technology, such as a nitrogen system in the cellar. The quality is also maintained thanks to the limited number of bottles produced, approximately 15,000 per year, offering an excellent quality-price ratio. This quality is consistently acknowledged through awards from competitions organized by the Gambellara Consortium and by several national and local guides. The most awarded wines are Gambellara Classico and Recioto di Gambellara Classico.

The Natalina Grandi winery has been recognized by the guide of Gambero Rosso in the magazine Berebene Lowcost for the best quality-price ratio; it has also been mentioned by Espresso Vini and the guide Ristoranti Che Passione.
 

Natalina Grandi and the production of Recioto di Gambellara

Natalina Grandi is among the very few companies producing Recioto di Gambellara Classico, obtained using the classic method or champenoise, which involves a secondary fermentation of the wine in the bottle. The Azienda Agricola Grandi Natalina allows the Recioto to rest in bottles for at least 18 months with the yeasts. For most of this period, the bottles are laid horizontally, while in the last months the bottles are positioned neck down in special hexagonal baskets. These allow for the daily rotation of the bottles, enabling the yeasts formed during the secondary fermentation to gradually deposit on the cork. After this period, the bottles are ready for disgorging (dégorgement): to eliminate the yeasts, the neck of the bottle is placed in a very low-temperature solution, which causes the instant freezing of the part containing the yeasts. When the cap is removed, the frozen portion is automatically expelled due to the pressure exerted by the carbon dioxide. After this phase, dosage is carried out, meaning the wine is topped up with the liqueur d'expédition and the bottle is sealed with the characteristic cork, which according to company regulations must be flat and not mushroom-shaped. After a few months in the bottle, the Recioto may be ready for sale.

In special years, Natalina Grandi produces the Recioto di Gambellara Classico Riserva using the same method.