Wines from Graziano Prà

History

Graziano Prà farms in Monteforte d'Alpone, in the Soave Classico zone of Veneto. His family owned vineyards for generations and sold the grapes to a local cooperative. In the early 1980s he took over the land, began to farm organically and started bottling under his own name. Gambero Rosso lists 1983 as the founding year. In 2007 his two brothers left the business and he became sole owner.

The land and the vineyards

The Soave vineyards lie around Monteforte d'Alpone, including San Vittore and the historic Monte Grande, which he has made since 1988. They grow in dark volcanic basalt and are planted to Garganega and Trebbiano. His father and grandfather planted many of the vines. In 2001 he bought Morandina in the Mezzane valley, at about 450 metres, where the chalky soil comes from ancient seashells and drains fast. Monte Bisson followed in 2014. Press profiles give between 40 and 50 hectares in total, with a good part in Soave. He farms organically and prunes hard to hold yields down, though neighbours' spraying has kept him from certification.

The wines

The Soave Classico wines run from the fresh, young Otto to Staforte, which rests six months on its lees, and Monte Grande, a Garganega and Trebbiano blend with some dried grapes that ages 10 to 12 months in large oak barrels. From Valpolicella come Morandina Valpolicella Superiore, a Ripasso made on Amarone skins, and Amarone, whose grapes dry for two months before three years in oak.

Today

Graziano works with his wife and a small crew.

Founded

1983

Area

Monteforte d'Alpone, Soave Classico; Valpolicella (Morandina)

Vineyards (hectares)

40 to 50 (sources differ)

Main grapes

Garganega, Trebbiano

Owners

Graziano Pru00e0

Winemaker

Graziano Pru00e0