Denavolo

Denavolo is a renowned natural wine producer located in the Colli Piacentini region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It is the personal project of Giulio Armani, a highly influential figure in the Italian natural wine movement.

History and Location

• Location: The winery is situated in the hills of the Val Trebbia, near the town of Travo, in the province of Piacenza. The vineyards are at a high altitude of 300 to 500 meters, which helps to preserve the grapes' acidity and aromatic compounds.

• The Founder: Denavolo is the sole project of Giulio Armani, who is also the long-time winemaker for La Stoppa. He founded Denavolo in 2005 with the goal of creating a winery dedicated exclusively to white grapes macerated on their skins, a style of wine often referred to as "orange wine."

• Philosophy: The name "Denavolo" comes from the stream that runs through the property and a specific plot of old vines. The project is a testament to Armani's passion for traditional winemaking.

Winemaking Philosophy

Giulio Armani's philosophy is an uncompromising approach to natural winemaking, with an emphasis on long skin contact for white wines.

• Organic Farming: The vineyards are farmed organically. Armani believes in working with the natural ecosystem and avoids the use of all chemical products.

• Indigenous Grapes: The focus is entirely on native white grapes of the Colli Piacentini, including Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Ortrugo, Marsanne, and Trebbiano.

• Minimal Intervention: In the cellar, the process is extremely hands-off.

  • Spontaneous Fermentation: Fermentation is carried out by indigenous yeasts.

  • Extended Skin Maceration: This is the core of Denavolo's philosophy. The white grapes undergo very long macerations on their skins, sometimes lasting months. This process extracts color, tannins, and complex flavors.

  • No Fining, Filtering, or Added Sulfur: The wines are unfined, unfiltered, and made without any added sulfur. They are bottled in their purest form.

• Aging: The wines are aged in stainless steel or fiberglass tanks to maintain purity, with some older vintages seeing time in old barrels.

Notable Wines

Denavolo's wines are celebrated for their intensity, complexity, and distinct "orange" wine character. They are highly sought after by natural wine enthusiasts.

• Dinavolino: The entry-level wine, typically with a shorter maceration period. It is still a true orange wine, known for its bright acidity and aromatic complexity.

• Dinavolo: The flagship wine, made from a blend of the indigenous grapes. It undergoes a very long maceration (often 6 to 8 months) and is aged for a long time before release. It is a powerful, complex, and age-worthy wine with notes of apricot, honey, and a distinct mineral salinity.

• Catavela: A white wine with a shorter maceration, often with a blend of Malvasia and Ortrugo. It is a more approachable expression of the style but still has the signature Denavolo character.

• Vino Bianco "14": A wine from the 2014 vintage, a particularly difficult year. This unique bottling showcases Armani's skill in making expressive wines even in challenging conditions.