Simply Succo d'Uva
Azienda Agricola Rosalba is the strictly family-run organic wine estate of the Dell'Ertole family, born from a passion for the territory of Alta Toscana — the upper Tuscany that stretches along the Ligurian coast, in the province of Massa-Carrara. For over 80 years, the family has cultivated terraced vineyards exposed to the south and south-east at approximately 200 meters above sea level, on historic family land that has been passed down through generations. The estate is a testament to the idea that making good wine is not merely a craft but a philosophy of life — a serious commitment that involves multiple dynamics and efforts, all evaluated and engaged with deep respect. The Dell'Ertole family searches for absolute naturalness as an indispensable element of gifting oneself the pleasure of moments in harmony with the earth and with oneself. As they say: "Semplicemente succo d'uva." No — for them, wine is not merely grape juice but the pride of Italian culture. It is earth. It is tradition. It is passion.
A Passion for the Territory
The story of Azienda Agricola Rosalba is a story of land, of family, and of a passion that has been passed down through generations on the terraced hills of Alta Toscana. The estate was born from the Dell'Ertole family's deep love for their territory — a stretch of upper Tuscany along the Ligurian coast, in the province of Massa-Carrara, where the Apuan Alps meet the Mediterranean Sea. It is a landscape of extraordinary beauty and geological drama, a UNESCO World Heritage region famous for its marble quarries, its steep terraced vineyards, and its unique microclimate that bridges mountain and sea.
The family has cultivated these terraced vineyards for over 80 years — historic family land that has been tended with care, patience, and an unwavering commitment to tradition. The vineyards are exposed to the south and south-east at approximately 200 meters above sea level, capturing the warm morning sun and the cooling afternoon breezes that drift up from the Ligurian Sea. The terraces are a testament to the agricultural ingenuity of generations past — stone walls carved into the hillside, creating flat surfaces on steep slopes where vines can root deeply and thrive. These are not merely vineyards; they are a landscape shaped by human hands over decades, a living archive of farming tradition that the Dell'Ertole family is committed to preserving.
The estate is strictly family-run — a tight-knit operation where every decision, from pruning to bottling, is made with the collective wisdom and shared labor of the family. There are no outside consultants, no hired managers, no corporate structures. The Dell'Ertole family tends their own vines, harvests their own grapes, makes their own wine, and sells their own bottles. This direct, unmediated relationship between producer and product is the essence of their philosophy — a belief that great wine can only come from great care, and that great care can only come from those who live on the land, eat from the land, and dream about the land.
The name "Rosalba" evokes the dawn — the "white rose" of morning light that bathes the terraced vineyards as the sun rises over the Apuan Alps. It is a name that captures the luminosity, the freshness, and the quiet beauty of the place — a place where the day begins with golden light on ancient stone walls and ends with the sunset painting the marble mountains pink. The family's labels are simple, elegant, and direct — handwritten-style text on clean backgrounds, reflecting the honesty and transparency of their approach. Each bottle carries the name of the vineyard — "Via dell'Uva" — the "Road of the Grape," a reminder that wine is a journey, not merely a product.
"Semplicemente succo d'uva. No, per noi il vino non è solamente succo d'uva ma vanto della cultura Italiana e non solo. E' terra. E' tradizione. E' passione."
— Azienda Agricola Rosalba
Alta Toscana & Terraced Vineyards
Azienda Agricola Rosalba's vineyards are located in Massa, in the province of Massa-Carrara, in Alta Toscana — the upper Tuscany that borders Liguria along the Mediterranean coast. This is a region of extraordinary geological and viticultural character, defined by the Apuan Alps — a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its Carrara marble quarries — and the proximity of the Ligurian Sea. The estate's vineyards are terraced, carved into the hillside with stone walls that create flat growing surfaces on steep slopes — a traditional farming practice that requires constant maintenance but rewards the effort with vines of exceptional concentration and character. The terraces are exposed to the south and south-east, ensuring maximum sun exposure during the critical morning hours when the vines are most active in photosynthesis.
The altitude of approximately 200 meters above sea level places the vineyards in a sweet spot between the warmth of the coastal plain and the coolness of the mountain heights. The microclimate is shaped by the proximity of the sea — warm, humid air that rises from the Ligurian coast, tempered by cool mountain breezes that descend from the Apuan Alps. The result is a climate of remarkable balance: warm days that allow for full phenolic ripeness, cool nights that preserve acidity and freshness, and a constant air movement that keeps the vines healthy and prevents disease. The soils are a mix of clay, limestone, and the detritus of the Apuan mountains — mineral-rich, well-drained, and distinctly influenced by the marble geology of the region. This unique terroir gives the wines a savory, stony quality that speaks of both mountain and sea.
Farming at Azienda Agricola Rosalba is organic, with a total absence of synthetic products. The family has worked for years to develop the vineyard's own natural habitat — a self-regulating ecosystem where the vines thrive without chemical intervention. The soil is treated with natural preparations including mycorrhizae, effective microorganisms (EM), zeolite, propolis, antagonistic fungi, and herbal macerations — all designed to preserve the organisms present in the soil and to create a healthy, living environment for the vines. The pruning follows the Guyot method, with a particular "Simonit & Sirch" branched approach that seeks to achieve high fruit quality while containing productive yields. Both winter and summer pruning receive meticulous attention, ensuring that each vine produces only the amount of fruit it can ripen to perfection.
The grape varieties reflect both the indigenous heritage of Alta Toscana and the family's openness to international varieties that have adapted to the local terroir. The white grapes are led by Vermentino — a variety that thrives in the coastal-mountain interface, producing wines of crystalline purity, saline minerality, and Mediterranean character. The red grapes include Bacca Nera — an indigenous variety of the territory — alongside Merlot, Sangiovese, and Pinot Noir, all of which have found a unique expression in the terraced vineyards of Massa. The family cultivates both native and international varieties with equal respect, believing that the terroir, not the passport of the grape, determines the quality of the wine. The harvest is entirely manual, with rigorous selection of only the healthiest bunches, and the grapes are carried from the terraces to the cellar with the same care that has characterized the family's work for over 80 years.
Massa, province of Massa-Carrara, Alta Toscana. Terraced vineyards on stone walls, south-south-east exposure, ~200m altitude. Apuan Alps UNESCO marble region. Ligurian Sea proximity. Warm coastal air tempered by cool mountain breezes. Unique mountain-sea interface terroir. Historic family land for over 80 years.
White: Vermentino — indigenous coastal variety. Red: Bacca Nera — indigenous to the territory. Also Merlot, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir — international varieties adapted to local terroir. All cultivated with equal respect. Belief that terroir, not grape origin, determines quality. Hand-harvested with rigorous selection.
Total absence of synthetic products. Organic farming with natural soil preparations: mycorrhizae, EM, zeolite, propolis, antagonistic fungi, herbal macerations. Self-regulating vineyard ecosystem. Simonit & Sirch branched Guyot pruning. Meticulous winter and summer pruning. High fruit quality, contained yields.
Strictly family-run estate. Dell'Ertole family tends own vines, harvests own grapes, makes own wine, sells own bottles. No outside consultants or corporate structures. Direct unmediated relationship between producer and product. Over 80 years of family tradition. Living archive of Alta Toscana farming heritage.
Spontaneous Fermentation & Minimal Intervention
At Azienda Agricola Rosalba, the cellar philosophy is one of absolute naturalness — a commitment to allowing the wine to express itself with the minimum of intervention, guided by the belief that the best wines are those that most faithfully reflect their terroir, their vintage, and their grape. The Dell'Ertole family searches for "l'assoluta naturalezza" — absolute naturalness — as an indispensable element of the pleasure of moments in harmony with the earth and with oneself. This is not a marketing slogan; it is the essence of their practice. In the cellar, this means spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no fining, no filtration, and only minimal sulfur when absolutely necessary. The result is a portfolio of wines that are authentic, rustic, and deeply expressive of the terraced vineyards of Alta Toscana — wines that taste of the stone walls, the sea breeze, the morning light, and the hands that made them.
The techniques are straightforward, traditional, and deeply respectful of the grape, shaped by the family's commitment to natural winemaking and their belief that "fare un buon vino è per noi una filosofia di vita" — making good wine is for us a philosophy of life:
"Ponte del Vescovo" — The Vermentino: The Ponte del Vescovo is Azienda Agricola Rosalba's flagship white — a Vermentino of extraordinary purity and Mediterranean character that captures the essence of the estate's coastal-mountain terroir. Named after the "Bishop's Bridge," it evokes the historic landscape of Massa, where ancient stone bridges cross streams that flow from the Apuan Alps to the sea. Made from 100% Vermentino — the traditional grape of the territory — it is a wine of crystalline clarity and saline depth. The grapes come from the "Via dell'Uva" vineyard, hand-harvested in the first decade of September to preserve freshness and aromatic intensity. In the cellar, the grapes are gently pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts, then aged in stainless steel until bottling in the spring. The result is bottled unfiltered. In the glass, it is pale straw with greenish reflections. The nose offers lemon zest, green apple, white peach, almond, and a distinct saline minerality that speaks of the nearby Ligurian Sea. The palate is crisp, light to medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, a slightly textured mouthfeel, and a long, clean, mineral finish. It is the ultimate expression of Vermentino in its natural state — fresh, honest, and deeply satisfying. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. ~$16–$24 / ~€14–€22.
"Logge del Vescovo" — The Bacca Nera: The Logge del Vescovo is Azienda Agricola Rosalba's flagship red — a wine made from Bacca Nera, an indigenous variety of the territory that has been cultivated in the terraced vineyards of Massa for generations. It is a wine of rustic charm, earthy depth, and authentic regional character that showcases a grape rarely seen outside this specific corner of Tuscany. The grapes come from the "Via dell'Uva" vineyard, hand-harvested in the first decade of September, then destemmed and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The maceration is brief but sufficient to extract color and tannin, and the wine is aged in stainless steel until bottling in the spring. The result is bottled unfiltered. In the glass, it is ruby-purple with a gentle haze. The nose offers wild cherry, plum, earth, Mediterranean herbs, and a distinct stony minerality. The palate is light to medium-bodied, with soft tannins, lively acidity, and a clean, savory, slightly rustic finish. It is a wine of the table — perfect with pasta, grilled meats, or simply with good bread and olive oil. Serve at 14–16°C. ~$16–$24 / ~€14–€22.
"RosAlba" — The Méthode Classique Rosé: The RosAlba is Azienda Agricola Rosalba's méthode classique sparkling rosé — a wine of extraordinary elegance and zero-dosage purity that represents the family's ambition to create wines of refinement while remaining true to their natural philosophy. Made from Merlot, it is a rosé sparkling wine of remarkable character: hand-harvested grapes, gently pressed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and then subjected to the second fermentation in bottle using the traditional method. The dosage is zero — no added sugar — allowing the wine to express its natural freshness and fruit without masking. The result is a sparkling wine of crystalline purity and delicate color: pale salmon-pink, with a fine, persistent perlage. The nose offers wild strawberry, rose petal, citrus zest, and a hint of bread crust from the lees. The palate is crisp, elegant, and refreshing, with vibrant acidity, a creamy mousse, and a long, clean, mineral finish. It is a wine of celebration and contemplation — perfect as an aperitif, with oysters, or simply for toasting to the beauty of Alta Toscana. Serve well chilled at 6–8°C. ~$22–$32 / ~€20–€29.
"Sangiovese" — The Tuscan Soul: The Sangiovese is Azienda Agricola Rosalba's expression of Tuscany's most iconic grape — a wine that bridges the family's coastal-mountain terroir with the broader tradition of Tuscan winemaking. Made from 100% Sangiovese, it is a wine of bright fruit, lively acidity, and earthy undertones that speaks of the terraced vineyards and the unique microclimate of Massa. The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The maceration is brief, preserving the variety's natural freshness and preventing excessive extraction. The wine is aged in stainless steel and bottled unfiltered in the spring. In the glass, it is ruby-red with a gentle haze. The nose offers cherry, wild strawberry, violet, and a hint of Mediterranean herbs and earth. The palate is light to medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, soft tannins, and a clean, fruity, slightly savory finish. It is a versatile, food-friendly wine — perfect with pizza, pasta, or grilled vegetables. Serve at 14–16°C. ~$14–$22 / ~€12–€20.
"Pinot Noir" — The Alpine Elegance: The Pinot Noir is Azienda Agricola Rosalba's interpretation of Pinot Noir — a variety that, while not native to Tuscany, has found a surprising home in the cool, terraced vineyards of Massa, where the mountain influence and the sea breezes create conditions reminiscent of Burgundy. It is a wine of delicate complexity, bright red fruit, and earthy minerality that proves the adaptability of great grapes to great terroirs. The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The maceration is gentle, preserving the variety's elegant color and subtle tannins. The wine is aged in stainless steel and bottled unfiltered. In the glass, it is pale ruby with a gentle haze. The nose offers red cherry, raspberry, rose petal, earth, and a hint of spice. The palate is light-bodied, with silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, elegant, mineral finish. It is a wine of finesse — perfect with light pasta, poultry, or soft cheeses. Serve at 14–16°C. ~$18–$26 / ~€16–€23.
Vessels & Ageing: Azienda Agricola Rosalba works exclusively with stainless steel tanks — a deliberate choice that reflects the family's commitment to preserving the natural freshness, purity, and primary fruit character of their wines. Stainless steel prevents oxidation, maintains vibrant acidity, and allows the true expression of the grape and terroir to shine without the influence of wood. The wines are aged in steel from harvest until bottling in the spring — a short but sufficient period that allows the wines to settle, integrate, and develop subtle complexity while retaining their youthful energy. All wines are unfiltered, with minimal sulfur added only when necessary — preserving their natural textures, living yeasts, and authentic flavors. The result is a portfolio of wines that are alive, honest, and deeply connected to the terraced vineyards from which they come.
"Ponte del Vescovo" — "100% Vermentino — Hand-Harvested from 'Via dell'Uva' Vineyard, Indigenous Yeast Fermentation, Stainless Steel Ageing, Unfiltered, Minimal Sulfur — The Mediterranean Soul of Alta Toscana"
The Ponte del Vescovo is Azienda Agricola Rosalba's most celebrated and distinctive wine — the flagship white that encapsulates everything the Dell'Ertole family believes about natural winemaking, terraced viticulture, and the transformative power of patience and respect. It is not merely a white wine; it is a testament to the beauty of Vermentino, the courage of a family that has tended these terraces for over 80 years, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land without excessive intervention.
The name "Ponte del Vescovo" — "Bishop's Bridge" — evokes the historic landscape of Massa, where ancient stone bridges cross the streams that flow from the Apuan Alps to the Ligurian Sea. It is a name that connects the wine to the place, to the history, and to the culture of a region that has been shaped by both nature and human hands. The grape is Vermentino, a variety that has grown in this coastal-mountain interface for centuries, renowned for its ability to produce wines of crystalline purity, saline minerality, and Mediterranean character.
The viticulture is organic and natural. The grapes come from the "Via dell'Uva" vineyard — the "Road of the Grape" — a historic family vineyard of over 80 years, terraced on stone walls with south-south-east exposure at approximately 200 meters above sea level. No synthetic products, no chemical herbicides, no artificial fertilizers. The soil is treated with natural preparations: mycorrhizae, effective microorganisms, zeolite, propolis, antagonistic fungi, and herbal macerations. The pruning follows the Simonit & Sirch branched Guyot method, with meticulous attention to both winter and summer pruning. The harvest is entirely manual, with rigorous selection of only the healthiest, most concentrated bunches, picked in the first decade of September to preserve freshness and aromatic intensity.
In the cellar, the grapes are gently pressed and fermented with indigenous yeasts — no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. The fermentation is monitored but not controlled; the family allows the natural yeasts to work at their own pace, creating a wine that is truly alive and expressive of its vintage. The wine is aged in stainless steel until bottling in the spring — a short but sufficient period that allows the wine to settle, integrate, and develop subtle complexity while retaining its youthful energy. The result is bottled unfiltered, with minimal sulfur — a pure, natural expression of Vermentino, the vintage, the terraced vineyard, and the hands that made it.
In the glass, it is pale straw with greenish reflections — alive, unfiltered, authentic. The nose is intense and fresh: lemon zest, green apple, white peach, almond, white flowers, and a distinct saline minerality that speaks of the nearby Ligurian Sea. There are notes of Mediterranean herbs, a hint of sea breeze, and a subtle stony quality that adds depth and intrigue. The palate is crisp, light to medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, a slightly textured mouthfeel from the natural yeasts and lees, and a long, clean, mineral finish that lingers with a gentle saline kiss. It is a wine of great personality — a wine that proves Vermentino, when allowed to express itself naturally, can produce whites of both immediacy and depth, of both pleasure and intellectual challenge.
The Ponte del Vescovo is a wine of the table — it pairs beautifully with seafood, grilled fish, light pasta, fresh cheeses, or simply with good bread and olive oil. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. It will reward 2–3 years of cellaring, developing more almond, honey, and mineral complexity. Every bottle is a testament to the power of terraced viticulture, the beauty of Vermentino, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land without excessive intervention. ~$16–$24 / ~€14–€22.
The Azienda Agricola Rosalba Range
The Dell'Ertole family produces a natural, organic portfolio from their historic terraced vineyards in Massa, Alta Toscana, Tuscany. All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested, and made with indigenous yeasts. No commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives, no filtration. Only minimal sulfur when necessary. The portfolio includes a white, two reds, and a méthode classique sparkling rosé — each one an honest, rustic expression of the terraced vineyards of Alta Toscana and over 80 years of family tradition. Prices are approximate and in USD/EUR.
Azienda Agricola Rosalba produces a small, artisanal, natural portfolio from historic terraced vineyards in Massa, Alta Toscana. All wines are organic, hand-harvested, and made with indigenous yeasts. Availability is limited due to the small scale and natural production methods. Contact the winery directly at info@vinirosalba.it or visit www.vinirosalba.it for current availability. The estate is located at Via Fratelli Grassi, 21, 54100 Massa. Visits by appointment.
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Villa Rosalba – “Prodotti / I nostri vini” section (if available)
Vivino – Villa Rosalba profile and offers
Wine-Searcher – Rosalba wines by merchants