Passion for Tradition
Tenuta Borri is a historic, family-run estate in the Travo area, within the Trebbia River valley in the Colli Piacentini hills of Emilia-Romagna. The estate has been in the Borri family for at least five generations, and since 2008 it has been managed full-time by Andrea Pradelli, an agronomist who chose to leave his consultancy work for public institutions and private companies to devote himself entirely to the land, the vineyard, and the cellar. The estate spans approximately 5 hectares of vineyards, located at altitudes between 400 and 700 meters above sea level, where the favorable pedoclimatic conditions and manual cultivation produce grapes of exceptional quality. The vineyards were revitalized in 2008 after a period of abandonment, and today they yield approximately 20,000 bottles annually across nine distinct labels. The estate avoids fertilizers and herbicides, opting instead for minimal phytosanitary treatments, and focuses on traditional winemaking methods enhanced by modern refinements. Fermentation is spontaneous, relying exclusively on indigenous yeasts present on the grapes, and sulfur dioxide is used sparingly. The estate is a proud member of F.I.V.I. — the Italian Federation of Independent Vinegrowers — and every wine is handcrafted from vineyard to bottle by Andrea himself, each bottle numbered and truly rare.
From Consultancy to the Vineyard
The story of Tenuta Borri begins over a century ago, when the Borri family first established their farm in the Travo area, within the Trebbia River valley in the Colli Piacentini hills of Emilia-Romagna. For at least five generations, the family has tended this land, passing down not only property but a profound respect for the territory, its traditions, and its potential. The estate is located in one of the most picturesque corners of the Food Valley — the gastronomic heart of Emilia-Romagna — where rolling hills, ancient villages, and deep agricultural tradition have produced distinctive wines for centuries.
The Colli Piacentini is a wine region of extraordinary diversity and historical significance. Located in the province of Piacenza, at the confluence of the Po and Trebbia rivers, the hills have been cultivated since Roman times and are home to some of Italy's most distinctive indigenous varieties — Ortrugo, Malvasia di Candia, and the rare Ervi among them. The region is part of the broader Emilia-Romagna wine landscape, but it possesses a character all its own: a bridge between the Po Valley's fertility and the Apennine foothills' mineral complexity, between the richness of Emilian cuisine and the elegance of Ligurian influence. It is a territory that demands respect and patience from those who farm it, and the Borri family has answered that demand for generations.
In 2008, the estate entered a new chapter. The vineyards, which had suffered a period of abandonment, were revitalized, and Andrea Pradelli — an agronomist who had spent years consulting for public institutions and private companies — made a life-changing decision. He chose to leave behind the world of offices and reports to devote himself full-time to the family estate, to the vineyard, the cellar, and the land that had shaped his family's history. It was not a calculated career move; it was an act of faith in a tradition, a belief that the best way to honor five generations of Borri viticulture was to be present, hands-on, and uncompromising. Today, Andrea manages every aspect of the estate himself — from vineyard cultivation to bottling — a true vigneron indipendente in the F.I.V.I. sense.
The name "Borri" is the family name, and "Tenuta" — "estate" — speaks of permanence, of rootedness, of a commitment to place that transcends commercial ambition. The estate's logo — the F.I.V.I. symbol of a vigneron carrying grapes on his shoulders — is not merely a membership badge; it is a statement of identity. Andrea Pradelli is not a manager; he is a vigneron, a man who works the soil with his own hands, who follows the entire production pipeline from planting to pouring, who bottles by hand, labels by hand, and numbers each bottle to ensure its rarity and authenticity. This is not industrial winemaking; it is a labor of love, a conversation between one man and his land, conducted in the language of pruning, harvesting, and patient observation.
"The wine is the answer of the earth to the sun."
— Tenuta Borri
Trebbia Valley Hills & 400–700m Elevation
Tenuta Borri's vineyards are located in the municipality of Travo, in the Colli Piacentini hills of Emilia-Romagna — a region of rolling landscapes, ancient villages, and deep agricultural tradition that has produced distinctive wines for centuries. The estate spans approximately 5 hectares, with vineyards situated at altitudes between 400 and 700 meters above sea level — a significant range that provides diverse microclimates, wide diurnal temperature shifts, and optimal conditions for both white and red varieties. The higher elevation sites, reaching up to 700 meters, are particularly favorable for white grapes, where the cool nights preserve acidity and aromatic freshness, while the lower sites at 400 meters provide the warmth and structure necessary for red varieties like Barbera and Croatina.
The soils of the Colli Piacentini are a complex mix typical of the Apennine foothills — well-drained, mineral-rich, and shaped by centuries of geological activity. The hillsides 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, while the elevation and exposure create significant diurnal temperature shifts that preserve acidity in the grapes while allowing full phenolic ripeness. The proximity to the Trebbia River brings a certain humidity and freshness that moderates the summer heat, creating ideal conditions for aromatic white varieties and for maintaining the natural acidity that defines great Colli Piacentini wines.
The climate is continental with Apennine influence — warm, sun-drenched summers that develop sugar and color in the grapes, cool nights that preserve acidity and aromatic freshness. The elevation of 400–700 meters creates dramatic diurnal shifts, particularly at the higher sites, where temperatures can drop significantly after sunset, preserving the vibrant acidity that is essential for great white wines. The constant breezes that sweep across the hills help to prevent fungal diseases and maintain vine health naturally. Rainfall is moderate, and the estate's sustainable practices — including minimal treatments and manual cultivation — help maintain soil structure and prevent erosion. The combination of warm days, cool nights, mineral-rich soils, and river-valley humidity creates ideal conditions for the estate's diverse varieties: the heat develops aromatics and sugar, while the altitude and cool nights preserve the vibrant acidity and freshness that define both the whites and reds of the Colli Piacentini.
Farming is deeply traditional and sustainable. The estate avoids the use of fertilizers and herbicides, opting instead for minimal phytosanitary treatments and a focus on manual cultivation. The vineyards are worked by hand — planting, pruning, training, harvesting — with Andrea Pradelli personally overseeing every operation. The estate consciously chooses not to pursue organic certification, not out of a lack of commitment to sustainability, but because the local presence of Flavescence dorée — a devastating vine disease transmitted by leafhoppers — necessitates the use of insecticides that would preclude organic status. This pragmatic approach reflects Andrea's honesty and his priority: to produce the healthiest, most authentic wines possible while protecting his vines from a disease that has ravaged the region. The result is grapes of exceptional quality — healthy, concentrated, and deeply expressive of the Trebbia valley terroir.
Rolling Apennine foothills with diverse microclimates. Higher sites (up to 700m) ideal for whites — cool nights preserve acidity. Lower sites (400m) provide warmth for reds. Well-drained, mineral-rich soils. Significant diurnal shifts. Proximity to Trebbia River brings freshness and moderates heat.
Warm sun-drenched summers, cool nights preserving acidity. Dramatic diurnal shifts at elevation. Constant breezes prevent fungal diseases naturally. Moderate rainfall managed by sustainable practices. Ideal for diverse varieties — heat develops aromatics and sugar; altitude and cool nights preserve vibrant acidity.
No fertilizers or herbicides. Minimal phytosanitary treatments. Manual cultivation only — all operations by hand. Pragmatic approach to Flavescence dorée management. Focus on vine health and wine authenticity over certification. Maximum-integrity viticulture guided by agronomic expertise and family tradition.
Member of Italian Federation of Independent Vinegrowers. Andrea Pradelli manages entire pipeline: vineyard to bottle. Hand-bottled, hand-labeled, each bottle numbered. True artisanal production — not industrial, not delegated. A labor of love and expertise, where the vigneron's hands touch every aspect of the wine.
Spontaneous Fermentation & Indigenous Yeasts
At Tenuta Borri, the cellar philosophy is one of deep respect for tradition, enhanced by modern refinements — a philosophy that reflects Andrea Pradelli's background as an agronomist and his commitment to authenticity. The winemaking process is designed to preserve the purity of the fruit: grapes are harvested exclusively by hand with selection in the vineyard, and fermentations are exclusively spontaneous, initiated by indigenous yeasts present on the grapes themselves. No commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. Sulfur dioxide is used sparingly — only when necessary for stability. The result is a portfolio of wines that are honest, traditional, and deeply expressive of the Colli Piacentini terroir — from the rare "Don Dante" Ervi to the vibrant "Le Tinaie" Barbera, each a handcrafted, numbered artifact of Andrea's dedication.
The techniques are demanding, traditional, and deeply rooted in the history of the Colli Piacentini:
Harvest & Selection: All grapes are meticulously hand-harvested from the estate's 5 hectares of sustainably farmed vineyards. Andrea 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. Every operation, from destemming to pressing to fermentation, is conducted with the precision that only a trained agronomist and dedicated vigneron can provide. The grapes for each label are harvested at optimal maturity, ensuring that every wine expresses the full potential of its specific variety and site.
"Don Dante" — The Ervi Red: The "Don Dante" is Tenuta Borri's most distinctive and celebrated wine — a pure expression of Ervi, an extremely rare indigenous red grape variety of the Colli Piacentini that has been the subject of considerable study and dedication by Andrea Pradelli. Ervi is a variety that was nearly extinct, overshadowed by more commercially viable grapes like Barbera and Croatina, but Andrea recognized its unique potential and has devoted years to understanding its character, its optimal growing conditions, and its winemaking requirements. The result is a wine of extraordinary depth and individuality: deep color, complex aromatics of dark fruit, spice, and a distinct earthy, almost balsamic character that speaks of the Trebbia valley terroir. The tannins are firm yet refined, the acidity vibrant, the finish long and savoury. It is a wine that demands contemplation — proof that the rarest varieties, when handled with expertise and passion, can produce wines of genuine greatness. The "Don Dante" is named in honor of a family figure, a tribute to the generations that came before and the legacy that Andrea continues.
"Le Tinaie" — The Barbera Red: The "Le Tinaie" is a Barbera that showcases the variety's natural vibrancy and the estate's commitment to traditional winemaking. The grapes are hand-harvested, fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, and aged with patience in neutral vessels. The result is a wine of intense ruby-purple color, rich and fruity on the nose with notes of ripe red fruits and berry jam. The palate is vibrant and fresh, with the acidity that is Barbera's hallmark, balanced by a certain richness and depth that speaks of the 400-meter elevation and the careful viticulture that produced it. It is a wine of immediate pleasure and surprising complexity — the approachable, joyful face of the estate's red philosophy, yet capable of developing more nuance with time in the cellar.
White Wines — Ortrugo, Malvasia di Candia, Moscato, Sauvignon: Tenuta Borri produces an extraordinary range of white wines — eight labels in total — from varieties that thrive in the higher elevations of the Colli Piacentini. The Ortrugo is the region's signature white grape, producing wines of bright acidity, citrus, almond, and a distinct saline finish. The Malvasia di Candia is aromatic and complex, with notes of white flowers, peach, and a certain spiciness that makes it utterly distinctive. The Moscato is fragrant and delicate, a wine of orange blossom, apricot, and a hint of honey. The Sauvignon Blanc — labeled "Mappale 25" — is fresh, herbaceous, and mineral, with the crisp acidity that defines great Sauvignon. All whites are fermented spontaneously, aged with minimal intervention, and bottled without excessive manipulation — preserving their natural aromatics, freshness, and terroir expression.
"La Zerbia" — The Malvasia di Candia: The "La Zerbia" is a pure Malvasia di Candia that showcases the extraordinary potential of this aromatic variety when grown at elevation and handled with respect. The grapes are hand-harvested from the estate's highest vineyards, where the cool nights and mineral soils create ideal conditions for preserving the grape's intense aromatics. Fermentation is spontaneous, ageing takes place in neutral vessels, and the wine is bottled with minimal sulfur. The result is a wine of extraordinary fragrance and complexity: white flowers, peach, apricot, and a subtle spiciness that lingers on the finish. It is textured, nuanced, and utterly distinctive — proof that Malvasia di Candia, often dismissed as a simple aromatic grape, can achieve genuine depth and character in the right hands.
"I Rovi Bianchi" — The Sparkling Blend: The "I Rovi Bianchi" is a sparkling white wine — a blend of the estate's white varieties that captures the freshness, vitality, and aromatic intensity of the Colli Piacentini in a single, effervescent bottle. Made using traditional or ancestral methods, it is a wine of fine persistent mousse, citrus and white flower aromatics, and a crisp, mineral finish. It is the perfect aperitif, a companion to seafood and light dishes, and a testament to the versatility of the estate's white portfolio. Like all Tenuta Borri wines, it is handcrafted, numbered, and rare — a sparkling expression of Andrea's dedication to authenticity.
Grappa — The Spirit of the Grape: In addition to wine, Tenuta Borri produces grappa — the traditional Italian spirit distilled from grape pomace. The estate's grappa is crafted with the same attention to quality and tradition as their wines, using the pomace from their own vineyards to create a spirit that is pure, aromatic, and deeply expressive of the varieties from which it is made. It is not an industrial byproduct; it is a deliberate, artisanal production that honors the entire grape, ensuring that nothing is wasted and everything is transformed into something of value.
Ageing & Bottling: The estate's approach to ageing is deliberately patient and traditional. After fermentation, the wines are aged in neutral vessels — stainless steel tanks for freshness, old wood for complexity, concrete for mineral purity. There is no new oak dominance, no toast or vanilla excess — only the gift of time and the unique character of each vessel. The wines are bottled by hand, labeled by hand, and each bottle is numbered — a practice that ensures traceability, authenticity, and rarity. Sulfur is used sparingly, only when necessary for stability. The result is wines that are pure, honest, and unmistakably Tenuta Borri — alive, evolving, and deeply rooted in the Colli Piacentini terroir.
"Don Dante" — "Pure Ervi from Colli Piacentini, Considerable Study & Dedication, Spontaneous Fermentation, Indigenous Yeasts, Minimal Sulfur — The Rarest Grape, The Greatest Passion"
The "Don Dante" is Tenuta Borri's most distinctive and celebrated wine — a pure expression of Ervi, an extremely rare indigenous red grape variety of the Colli Piacentini that has been the subject of considerable study and dedication by Andrea Pradelli. It is not merely a wine; it is a testament to the power of belief in forgotten varieties, the transformative potential of patient research, and the enduring magic of wines that honor tradition rather than chase trends.
Ervi is a variety that was nearly extinct in the Colli Piacentini, overshadowed by more commercially viable grapes like Barbera and Croatina, and largely forgotten by the modern wine industry. But Andrea Pradelli, with his agronomic training and his deep connection to the land, recognized something in this grape — a unique character, a distinct aromatic profile, a structural potential that demanded exploration. He devoted years to understanding Ervi: studying its phenology, its optimal growing conditions, its fermentation behavior, its ageing requirements. He planted it in the estate's best sites, at elevations where the cool nights and mineral soils would preserve its acidity and develop its complexity. He experimented with different vinification techniques, different ageing vessels, different maceration periods — all with the goal of unlocking Ervi's full potential.
The grapes come from the estate's sustainably farmed vineyards in Travo, on the hills of the Trebbia valley at 400–700 meters elevation. The vines are cultivated without fertilizers or herbicides, with minimal phytosanitary treatments and meticulous manual care. The harvest is entirely by hand, with rigorous selection of only the healthiest, most concentrated bunches. In the cellar, the grapes are gently destemmed and crushed. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with indigenous yeasts — no commercial strains, no temperature control, no enzymes. The maceration is carefully managed to extract the full structural potential of the grape without overwhelming its natural finesse. Ageing takes place in neutral vessels — old wood, concrete, or stainless steel — that allow the wine to develop complexity without adding dominant flavors.
In the glass, it is deep ruby-purple with a garnet rim that hints at its ageing potential. The nose is complex and evolving — dark cherry, plum, blackberry, and a distinct earthy, almost balsamic character that speaks of the Trebbia valley terroir. There are notes of dried herbs, tobacco, and a subtle spiciness that develops with time in the bottle. The palate is full-bodied and structured, with firm yet refined tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, savoury finish that lingers for minutes. This is not a heavy, over-extracted wine; it is a wine of balance, elegance, and extraordinary depth — proof that Ervi, when grown with care and handled with expertise, can achieve greatness that rivals the most celebrated varieties of Italy.
The "Don Dante" demands patience. It will reward 10–15 years of cellaring, developing more earthy, leathery, and dried fruit complexity. Serve at 18°C after decanting, with braised meats, aged cheeses, game dishes, or simply on its own as a contemplative red. This is the wine that carries the legacy of Andrea Pradelli's dedication — from agronomic consultancy to full-time vigneron, from forgotten grape to celebrated wine. Every bottle is numbered, handcrafted, and truly rare — a testament to the power of passion, the transformative potential of indigenous varieties, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land. ~$25–$40 / ~€22–€36.
The Tenuta Borri Range
Andrea Pradelli produces an artisanal, traditional portfolio from his approximately 5 hectares of sustainably farmed vineyards in Travo, Colli Piacentini, Emilia-Romagna. All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested with selection in the vineyard, spontaneously fermented with indigenous yeasts, and crafted with minimal intervention. No commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. Sulfur dioxide used sparingly. The portfolio spans nine distinct labels — eight whites and three reds — each handcrafted, numbered, and truly rare. The estate also produces grappa from its own pomace. Annual production: approximately 20,000 bottles. Prices are approximate and in USD/EUR.
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Here is an updated list of retailers and resources for Tenuta Borri wines, with direct links to the relevant pages.
Retailers:
Zarah Wine: An online retailer that lists various Tenuta Borri wines for sale.
Vivino: While not a direct retailer, Vivino is a platform where you can find and review Tenuta Borri wines. It often provides links to where they can be purchased from various merchants.
Enosearcher: A wine search engine that provides links to different online offers for Tenuta Borri wines.
Tenuta Borri Winery: You can contact the winery directly for purchases or visits. Their website has information on their location and contact details.