Wine from Outside the Ordinary

Fora In Vigna — literally "out in the vineyard" — was born from the idea of two friends, Simone Fanton and Giovanni Bottazzi, to recover old vines of local varieties in the enchanting Colli Berici in Veneto. [^103^] Simone, a veteran sommelier and legendary host, worked in a local winery for nearly ten years in the early 2000s, absorbing the rhythms of the cellar and the vineyard. Giovanni, meanwhile, ran bicycle tours of national and international wine regions, developing a deep knowledge of terroir from the saddle of a bike, pedalling through vineyards across Europe. [^103^]

After a few years of research, the two friends found the marvellous vineyard to start the project and literally be Fora In Vigna. [^103^] The vineyard is located in Nanto, a south-east facing village of the Colli Berici in central Veneto. From January 2020, they share two hectares with the local vignaiolo Davide Xodo. [^103^] The vines are 36 years of age and planted on pure limestone around 100 metres above sea level — a terroir that provides both excellent drainage and a distinctive mineral character that defines the wines. [^103^]

The varieties are strictly local: the white Garganega, known for its sunny and pleasant nature, and the red Tai Rosso, noted for its fine and spicy characteristics. [^104^] Every operation is carried out by hand and without the use of chemicals. To respect the fragrance of the fruits, the guys choose to work with steel vessels and practice non-invasive winemaking. [^103^] The result is a small but focused range of wines that capture the essence of the Colli Berici — wines that are fresh, vibrant, and unmistakably Venetian.

Fora Wines is committed to natural winemaking, emphasizing minimal intervention both in the vineyard and the cellar. [^101^] They utilize natural yeasts for fermentation and avoid the use of chemicals, focusing on the health of the soil and the vines. [^101^] The grapes are selected by hand and treated with natural yeast. [^108^] The wines are bottled only when the time is right — a philosophy that means each vintage is different, each wine is unique, and no two years produce the same expression. [^108^]

The Pontaron is made from Garganega, showcasing the fresh and vibrant expression of this Venetian grape. [^101^] The grapes are harvested manually at the end of September, then 60% is direct-pressed and 40% undergoes six days of skin maceration with indigenous yeasts. [^105^] The wine is then aged in steel vessels to preserve its freshness and fragrance. In the glass, it offers notes of honeysuckle, Asian pear, and citrus — a wine that is best friends with any white fish-based dish, perfect as an aperitif, or matched with rich styles of cheeses. [^101^] [^113^]

The Bagarre is produced from Tai Rosso, presenting a fine and spicy profile typical of the grape. [^101^] It embodies the character of the Colli Berici terroir — light, fresh, and peppery, with savoury notes that make it an ideal companion for stews, casseroles, and a great T-bone steak. [^112^] The wine is fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and aged in steel, preserving the purity of the fruit and the distinctive mineral backbone of the limestone soils. It is a red wine of surprising elegance and drinkability — not heavy, not extracted, but rather a wine that invites you to pour another glass.

The Bidon! Bidon! is a sparkling rosé made from Tai Rosso, offering a lively and expressive profile that captures the playful and dynamic nature of the variety. [^101^] It is a wine that does not take itself too seriously — fresh, fruity, and effervescent — yet it is made with the same care and attention as the still wines. The refermentation occurs naturally, with no added sugars or selected yeasts, creating a pet-nat that is cloudy, vibrant, and utterly joyful. It is the kind of wine that makes you smile before you even taste it.

The result is a range of wines that are elegant, authentic, and unmistakably of the Colli Berici. They are not wines that shout; they are wines that whisper, that reveal themselves gradually, that demand attention and repay it with layers of flavour and a sense of place that is rare in the modern wine world. Fora Wines may be a young project, but it is built on old vines, deep knowledge, and a profound respect for the territory. Giovanni and Simone have proven that two friends, a small vineyard, and a big love for nature can produce wines that stand among the most interesting natural wines of the Veneto. [^101^] [^103^]