The Venchiarezza company was born after the Second World War, when Luca Caporale’s grandfather, Guido, decided to devote himself to farming and improving the small family farm he owned in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. In those days, most Friulian farming families practiced multi-crop farming.
They grew cereals, fruit, silkworms, and cows. After Guido discovered the area’s potential for viticulture, he began the transformation to wine production, built a new winery and gradually abandoned other farming activities.
The Friuli region is well known the world over for its white wine, and also for its geography, where the northern half is very mountainous, then gives way to flatter terrain and plains leading down to the sea. The climate is characterized by very hot days and cool nights, which help to maintain a balance between the acidity and sugar content of the grapes. This climate also helps to preserve the grapes’ intense aromatic substance and allows for a long, slow grape-growing season.
Venchiarezza is one of the few artisanal vineyards in the Friuli region, with soil and production certified 100% organic. The vineyards are located on the hills and foothills of the historic town of Cividale del Friuli. Different grape varieties are planted between 130 and 380 meters above sea level, in micro-zones where the vines express themselves at their best, without the use of synthetic pesticides. At the winery, grape and wine management involves very simple operations, since the grapes transported to the farm are already of high quality, but extremely precise.
However, during the golden age of the global economy in the ’50s and as a baby boomer, Guido’s son did not follow the path of the agricultural sector. Fortunately, as in most typical Italian family businesses, Guido’s grandson Luca Caporale remained on the estate since childhood, working in the vineyard with his grandfather. Against the wishes of his parents, but with the encouragement of his grandparents, Luca decided to become a winemaker and entered the agricultural high school to specialize as a professional winemaker. Even today, he tends and prunes the old vines his grandfather planted in the 50s.
As a student, Luca continued to look after the family farm during the vacations and also worked for other wineries, gaining experience to reinvest in the family business.
In 2004, Luca began planting the ancient Friulian grape variety, Tocai Friulano, using "massal selection" instead of "clonal selection". The cuttings come from century old Tocai Friulano vines, the result of observing, adapting and optimizing the vines on their own terroirs, while retaining their identity. This is important for the future quality of the grapes and the wine they will produce.
From this point on, all the vines planted on the estate are no longer under "clonal selection", but only under "massal selection". This means that genetic diversity (massal selection) provides a better guarantee against diseases in unfavourable conditions or catastrophic situations that could more easily threaten clonal vineyards. It also guarantees a stronger vineyard, where different populations cohabit in symbiosis, producing more stable, healthy and rich grapes.
After a really difficult vintage in terms of crop protection and environmental sustainability, Luca decided to switch to organic farming. To this day, Luca continues to find more natural and sustainable ways to produce his wines, ensuring that all that his ancestors did will not be forgotten.
Wine is a gift from the earth, and Luca is eager to share it with others.
Watch the video on the Sauvignon blanc