Super-Bio PIWI
Nove Lune is a pioneering organic winery located inside the WWF Oasis of Valpredina, in the hills of Cenate Sotto and Cenate Sopra, in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy. Founded and led by Alessandro Sala — enologist, viticulturist, and visionary advocate for sustainable viticulture — the estate is dedicated to the cultivation of PIWI (pilzwiderstandfähig) fungus-resistant grape varieties, which allow the production of fine wines while almost completely eliminating the use of fungicides. These "super-bio" vines, obtained through traditional crossbreeding (not GMO), represent the frontier of ecological winemaking: they safeguard the health of consumers, protect environmental integrity, and reduce the environmental impact of viticulture to near zero. The estate's two hillside vineyards, located at the foot of Mount Misma, benefit from cool night breezes that create optimal conditions for wines with strong aromas and intense bouquets. All cultivation is done manually, yields are kept intentionally very low, and grass is grown permanently on the soil and under the vines to promote biodiversity. In the cellar, Alessandro employs amphorae, stainless steel tanks, and an extraordinary innovation — the "Costa Jels" sparkling wine, which ages for 5 years in a mine of the same name. Awarded Top Gold (97 points) at the International PIWI Wine Awards 2020 for "Theia" passito, named Best PIWI Passito in the World and Best Italian Wine Ever in the competition, and recognized as AIS Lombardia "Character of the Year" in 2023, Nove Lune is not merely a winery; it is a manifesto for the future of sustainable agriculture.
From Organic to Super-Bio
The story of Nove Lune is the story of Alessandro Sala's journey — a journey that began with organic viticulture and led him to something even more ecological: the world of PIWI (pilzwiderstandfähig) fungus-resistant grape varieties. These "super-bio" vines, as they are nicknamed, represent the cutting edge of sustainable agriculture — varieties that naturally resist diseases such as downy mildew and powdery mildew, making it possible to produce quality wines while almost completely eliminating the use of fungicides. For Alessandro, this was not merely a technical choice; it was a moral imperative — a response to the realization that traditional viticulture, even when organic, still relies on treatments that leave residues in the fruit and pollute the environment.
The estate is located inside the WWF Oasis of Valpredina — a protected area rich in biodiversity, where nature thrives in its full complexity. This is not a coincidence; it is a deliberate choice. Alessandro believes that biodiversity is an invaluable heritage, a formidable ally in the vineyard. His philosophy is to let nature have its way, allowing species to control each other mutually so no one prevails over the other. He facilitates this by introducing as many plant species as possible, which in turn host more animal species. Biodiversity creates low pathogenic pressure, helping the vines to be healthy without intervention. This is not farming against nature; it is farming with nature — a partnership rather than a conquest.
The name "Nove Lune" — "Nine Moons" — evokes the lunar cycles that have guided agriculture since ancient times, the rhythms of nature that modern industrial farming has sought to override. It is a name that speaks of patience, of observation, of working in harmony with cosmic calendars rather than against them. For Alessandro, the nine moons represent the full cycle of growth, from pruning to harvest, from fermentation to bottle ageing — a reminder that wine cannot be rushed, that greatness requires time, and that the best wines are those that respect the natural tempo of the vine.
Alessandro's vision extends beyond his own estate. He was the promoter and founder of the Lombardy PIWI Association, established on November 19, 2017, at the Nove Lune winery in Cenate Sopra. The association brings together winemakers and enthusiasts of resistant vine varieties in Lombardy — a densely populated region where vineyards are often located in-town, close to homes, schools, nurseries, parks, and cycle paths. Resistant varieties make it possible to reduce the use of plant protection products with obvious benefits for people, especially children. The association promotes not only the wines but the philosophy that accompanies them: greater environmental sustainability, intended as safeguarding farmers, the environment, and the end consumer. For Alessandro, ecology is the heritage of everyone, and it can only be achieved through transparency, ethics, and the art of living.
"I wanted to be able to produce fine wines without polluting myself, the environment and the end consumer; I succeeded using resistant vine varieties."
— Alessandro Sala
WWF Valpredina Oasis & Mount Misma Breezes
Nove Lune's vineyards are located in Cenate Sotto and Cenate Sopra, two villages in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy — nestled in the hills at the foot of Mount Misma, within the protected boundaries of the WWF Oasis of Valpredina. This is a place of extraordinary biodiversity, where forests, meadows, and vineyards coexist in a delicate equilibrium that has been preserved for generations. The estate's two vineyard sites are both located on hilly positions, where the cool night breezes descending from Mount Misma create optimal conditions for making wines with strong aromas and intense bouquets. The elevation provides significant diurnal temperature shifts — warm days develop sugar and color in the grapes, while cool nights preserve acidity and aromatic freshness.
The soils of the Cenate hills are a complex mix typical of the pre-Alpine foothills of Bergamo — well-drained, mineral-rich, and shaped by centuries of geological activity. The hillside slopes ensure excellent drainage, preventing waterlogging and encouraging the vines to dig deep for nutrients. The soil composition provides a rich mineral backbone that contributes to the wines' complexity and ageing potential. The proximity to the forested slopes of Mount Misma adds a certain humidity and coolness that is ideal for the PIWI varieties, which thrive in conditions where traditional vines would struggle with fungal pressure. This is a terroir that demands respect and patience, and Alessandro has answered that demand with organic farming, manual labor, and an unwavering commitment to biodiversity.
The climate is continental with Alpine influence — warm, sun-drenched summers that are moderated by the elevation and the cooling breezes from Mount Misma. Winters are cold, with frost that naturally controls pests and diseases. The regular night breezes from the mountain create a microclimate that is particularly favorable for aromatic white varieties and for preserving the natural acidity that defines great sparkling wines. Rainfall is moderate, and the organic farming practices — including permanent grass cover and under-vine vegetation — help retain soil moisture and prevent erosion. The combination of warm days, cool nights, mineral-rich soils, and mountain breezes creates ideal conditions for the estate's diverse PIWI varieties: the heat develops aromatics and sugar, while the limestone and cool nights preserve vibrant acidity and freshness.
Farming is certified organic and deeply hands-on. All the company vineyards are composed of disease-resistant vines, which makes it possible to reduce biological fungicidal treatments to a minimum. Organic cultivation improves soil fertility and deepens the exploratory layer of the roots, adding greater quality to the grapes necessary for producing fine wines. To obtain higher quality grapes, all cultivation is done manually and yields are kept intentionally very low. Grass is grown permanently on the soil as well as under the vine in order to promote biodiversity — a practice that is rare even among organic producers, as most remove under-vine vegetation to reduce competition. At Nove Lune, the grass is not seen as competition but as a partner: it hosts beneficial insects, prevents erosion, maintains soil structure, and creates a living ecosystem that supports the vines' health. This is maximum-expression viticulture, where the health of the entire farm ecosystem is the foundation of wine quality.
Located inside a protected WWF biodiversity area. Forests, meadows, and vineyards coexist in delicate equilibrium. Extraordinary biodiversity as the estate's natural ally. A place where nature thrives in full complexity — the perfect setting for ecological viticulture.
Hilly vineyards at the foot of Mount Misma. Cool night breezes create optimal conditions for strong aromas and intense bouquets. Significant diurnal shifts. Alpine-influenced continental climate. Ideal for aromatic whites and sparkling wines with vibrant acidity.
Certified organic. All vineyards composed of PIWI disease-resistant vines. Manual cultivation only. Intentionally very low yields. Permanent grass on soil and under vines — rare even among organic producers. Biodiversity as a formidable ally, not a problem to be solved.
Founder of Lombardy PIWI Association (2017). Promoter of resistant varieties across the region. Advocate for vineyards near populated areas — schools, parks, homes. Transparency, ethics, and environmental sustainability as guiding principles. A manifesto for the future of sustainable agriculture.
Amphorae, Mines & Indigenous Yeasts
At Nove Lune, the cellar philosophy is one of minimal intervention and maximum respect for the grape — a natural extension of the organic, biodiversity-focused farming practiced in the vineyard. Alessandro Sala's technical skill lies in his ability to guide the wines without controlling them, to enhance the natural characteristics of each PIWI variety without imposing a predetermined style. The winemaking process is designed to preserve the purity of the fruit: spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, minimal sulfites, and ageing in a variety of vessels that allow each wine to express its unique character. The cellar is equipped with stainless steel tanks, large amphorae, and the extraordinary "Costa Jels" mine — a subterranean ageing chamber where sparkling wines develop for five years in perfect darkness and stable temperature. This is not modern, engineered winemaking; it is a deliberate, thoughtful approach that prioritizes the natural expression of the grape over technological manipulation.
The techniques are demanding, innovative, and deeply rooted in both tradition and scientific understanding:
Harvest & Selection: All grapes are meticulously hand-harvested from the estate's two hillside vineyards. Alessandro monitors each vineyard daily in the weeks leading up to harvest, tasting berries and waiting for the moment when phenolic ripeness, sugar concentration, and acid balance align. The harvest is selective and careful — only the finest bunches are chosen, and they are transported quickly to the cellar to preserve freshness. The low yields — intentionally kept minimal to ensure quality — mean that every bunch receives meticulous attention. The PIWI varieties, with their natural disease resistance, arrive at the cellar in perfect health, their skins unblemished by fungal damage, their flavors pure and concentrated.
"Theia" — The Award-Winning Passito: The "Theia" is Nove Lune's most celebrated wine — a passito that achieved extraordinary recognition at the International PIWI Wine Awards 2020: Top Gold with 97 points, Best PIWI Passito in the World, and Best Italian Wine Ever in the competition. This is not merely a sweet wine; it is a masterpiece of concentration and balance, made from PIWI grapes that have been carefully dried to concentrate their sugars, acids, and aromatics. The result is a wine of extraordinary depth: honeyed, complex, with notes of dried apricot, fig, candied citrus, and a distinct mineral backbone that speaks of the Cenate hills. The sweetness is balanced by vibrant acidity, preventing cloying and creating a wine that is both luxurious and refreshing. It is proof that PIWI varieties, often dismissed as "lesser" than traditional grapes, can produce wines of world-class quality when handled with patience and expertise.
"Costa Jels" — The Mine-Aged Sparkling Wine: The "Costa Jels" is one of the most extraordinary wines in the Nove Lune portfolio — an organic sparkling wine that ages for 5 years in the Costa Jels mine, a subterranean chamber that provides perfect darkness, stable temperature, and constant humidity. The mine's natural environment eliminates the need for artificial climate control, allowing the wine to develop slowly and naturally. The result is a sparkling wine of extraordinary complexity and finesse: fine, persistent mousse, biscuity autolytic character, and a mineral depth that speaks of both the terroir and the unique ageing conditions. This is not merely a technique; it is a philosophy of place — a belief that the less the wine is disturbed, the more it will speak of its origin. The Costa Jels represents the frontier of Nove Lune's innovation: combining traditional method sparkling production with an ageing environment that is unlike anything else in the wine world.
"310" — The White Blend: The "310" is a white wine made from a blend of PIWI varieties — Solaris, Bronner, and Johanniter — that showcases the potential of resistant grapes for complex, terroir-driven whites. The grapes are hand-harvested, gently pressed, and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts. Ageing takes place in a combination of stainless steel tanks and amphorae — the steel preserving freshness, the amphorae adding texture and mineral complexity. The result is a wine of bright acidity, floral aromatics, and a distinct saline finish: citrus, white flowers, green apple, and a hint of almond. It is fresh, vibrant, and utterly distinctive — proof that PIWI whites can achieve a purity and complexity that rivals traditional varieties.
Amphora Ageing — The Ancient Meets the Modern: The cellar at Nove Lune is equipped with large terracotta amphorae — unlined, porous vessels that allow for a gentle, natural micro-oxygenation. These amphorae are used for selected wines, providing an ageing environment that is unlike steel or wood. The porous walls breathe with the wine, allowing for a slow exchange of oxygen that develops texture and depth without adding any wood flavors. The result is wines of extraordinary purity: the fruit speaks clearly, the minerality is pronounced, and the texture is silky and refined. The amphorae represent Alessandro's commitment to combining ancient techniques with modern understanding — a bridge between the past and the future of winemaking.
Spontaneous Fermentation & Minimal Sulfites: All wines at Nove Lune are fermented with indigenous yeasts — no commercial strains, no enzymes, no additives. The spontaneous fermentation allows the natural microbiology of the grapes and the cellar to shape the wine's character, creating wines that are unique to each vintage and each parcel. Sulfites are used minimally, only when necessary for stability, and never as a crutch for poor vineyard health. The result is wines that are alive, evolving, and unmistakably honest — pure reflections of the PIWI varieties, the Cenate terroir, and Alessandro's unwavering commitment to natural processes.
Ageing & Bottling: The estate's approach to ageing is deliberately patient and varied. Stainless steel tanks preserve freshness and aromatic purity for the younger, more immediate wines. Amphorae provide gentle micro-oxygenation and mineral complexity for selected cuvées. The Costa Jels mine offers the most extraordinary ageing environment — five years of perfect darkness and stable temperature for the sparkling wines. There is no new oak, no toast, no vanilla — only the gift of time and the unique character of each vessel. The wines are bottled with minimal intervention, preserving their natural texture and layers of flavor. The result is wines that are pure, unadulterated reflections of their origin — alive, evolving, and unmistakably honest.
"Theia" — "Top Gold 97 Points at International PIWI Wine Awards 2020, Best PIWI Passito in the World, Best Italian Wine Ever — PIWI Passito from Cenate Hills, Organic, Indigenous Yeasts, Minimal Sulfites"
The "Theia" is Nove Lune's most profound and celebrated wine — a passito that achieved extraordinary recognition at the International PIWI Wine Awards 2020, earning Top Gold with 97 points, the title of Best PIWI Passito in the World, and the distinction of Best Italian Wine Ever in the competition. It is not merely a sweet wine; it is a masterpiece of concentration, balance, and terroir expression — proof that PIWI (fungus-resistant) varieties, when handled with patience and expertise, can produce wines that rival the world's finest traditional grapes.
The grapes come from Nove Lune's organically farmed PIWI vineyards in Cenate Sotto and Cenate Sopra, at the foot of Mount Misma, within the WWF Oasis of Valpredina. The varieties used are carefully selected PIWI grapes — resistant to downy mildew and powdery mildew, grown without synthetic fungicides, in perfect health. The bunches are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness and then carefully dried, either on the vine or in controlled conditions, to concentrate their sugars, acids, and aromatics. This process of appassimento is demanding and risky: the grapes must be monitored daily to prevent rot, and only the healthiest bunches are selected for the final wine.
In the cellar, the dried grapes are gently pressed to extract only the most concentrated must. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with indigenous yeasts — no commercial strains, no temperature control, no enzymes. The high sugar content of the dried grapes means that fermentation proceeds slowly and may stop naturally before all sugar is converted to alcohol, leaving residual sweetness that is balanced by the grapes' natural acidity. The wine is aged with patience in neutral vessels — amphorae or stainless steel — that preserve the purity of the fruit without adding wood flavors. Minimal sulfites are added, only when necessary for stability.
In the glass, it is deep golden-amber — a visual testament to the concentration and patient ageing. The nose is complex and evolving — honey, dried apricot, fig, candied citrus, orange peel, and a distinct mineral earthiness that speaks of the Cenate hills. There are notes of saffron, dried herbs, and a subtle nuttiness that develops with time in the bottle. The palate is full-bodied and luscious, with vibrant acidity that cuts through the sweetness, creating a wine that is both luxurious and refreshing. The finish is long and savoury, with a mineral undertone that lingers for minutes. This is not a heavy, cloying dessert wine; it is a wine of structure, elegance, and extraordinary depth — proof that PIWI varieties can achieve greatness that transcends categories.
The "Theia" demands contemplation. Serve at 12–14°C after a brief decant, with aged cheeses, foie gras, dried fruit, or simply on its own as a meditation wine. It will reward decades of cellaring, developing more honeyed, dried fruit, and mineral complexity. This is the wine that carries the legacy of Alessandro Sala's vision — from organic viticulture to super-bio PIWI varieties, from the WWF Oasis of Valpredina to the world's most prestigious wine competitions. Every bottle is a testament to the power of belief in sustainable agriculture, the transformative potential of resistant grape varieties, and the enduring magic of wines that honor nature rather than exploit it. ~$35–$55 / ~€32–€50.
The Nove Lune Range
Alessandro Sala produces an artisanal, organic portfolio from his PIWI (fungus-resistant) vineyards in Cenate Sotto and Cenate Sopra, Bergamo, Lombardy. All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested, spontaneously fermented with indigenous yeasts, and crafted with minimal intervention. The estate is equipped with stainless steel tanks, amphorae, and the extraordinary Costa Jels mine for subterranean sparkling wine ageing. No commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. Minimal sulfites. The portfolio showcases the extraordinary potential of PIWI varieties — from the award-winning Theia passito to the mine-aged Costa Jels sparkling wine. Prices are approximate and in USD/EUR.