PATERNA - A Different Side of Tuscany
Paterna Returns
Paterna, a farming cooperative & pillar of our portfolio, has been making low intervention wines since before the term “natural” became fashionable. In 1985, a small group of friends established the farm and winery at the base of the Arno River outside of Arezzo in eastern Tuscany. They escaped to the countryside to both live and work, aiming to move away from the increasingly superficial, tourist-driven wine market of Firenze, and look rather to dedicate their time and energy to the quality of the land’s products.
Today, the 15-hectare estate is still run in a cooperative manner by three young couples, overseen by Marco & Tamara Scarpellini, producing wines only from local grape varieties, as well as olive oil, cheeses, and other agricultural products.
The average 40-year old vineyards are located about 300 metres above sea level and form an important part of the integrated ecology on the estate. Native varietals such as Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino, Malvasia and Trebbiano are carefully maintained on the seven-hectare block.
The wines are vinified in a highly traditional manner, sulfur is kept to a minimum, and whites are preserved by undergoing a period of skin contact during fermentation. Maturation takes place in stainless steel and old oak. These wines represent outstanding value, since the philosophy of the winemakers is to create wines for consumption and enjoyment, not just for show.
Scroll below to see the long awaited arrivals from this small but thoughtful coop. Do not hesitate to reach out your local rep or email info@dispensingsolutions.com.au for more information or a splash!
2024 ‘Il Terraio’, Bianco Toscana IGT
Grapes: Trebbiano and Malvasia, plus a small percentage of Orpicchio (a traditional local grape); harvested from vineyards 300 mASL on hills Arezzo and Florence, organic since 1985.
Vinification: Manually harvested in mid-September, early in the morning. Two-thirds of the grapes are vinified in steel tanks, at controlled temperature (15°-16°), without added yeast. The remaining grapes macerate over an extended period on the skins, a portion undergoing malolactic fermentation with indigenous yeast. The wine is bottled about 6 months later, in the March after the harvest.
Tasting Notes: Light straw yellow, with green tinges. The bouquet is full of wildflowers, chamomile, sage; salty and minerally notes. On the mouth, a bright, characteristic acidity, in balance with notes of ripe peach and stone fruits; lively with salty persistency.
Price: $28.38 LUC [runs in 12-btl cases]
2023 Chianti Colli Aretini DOC
Grapes: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Colorino, Canaiolo, vines 300 mASL, 9 years + 45 years on average, organic since 1985, located in Arezzo, Siena and Florence, at the foot of Pratomagno mountain and in front of the Chianti hills.
Vinification: Manually harvested around the end of September before undergoing simple and traditional winemaking: soft pressing and destemming of the grapes, with low doses of sulphites and native yeasts. Ferments for 8-10 days with repeated pumping-over and maturation in steel or concrete tanks. The wine is bottled after 1 year from harvest with a light filtration; refines for 6-8 months in bottle.
Tasting Notes: Vivid ruby red; intense and vinous nose, fruity with sensations of violets and cherry. On the mouth it is incrediibly harmonious, dry and slightly tannic, quite lively in the first years of release.
Price: $28.38 LUC [runs in 12-btl cases]
2021 Vignanova, Rosso Toscana IGT
Grapes: Sangiovese (plus a small part of Colorino del Valdarno grapes), 30-40 year old vines 300 mASL, organic since 1985, between Arezzo and Florence at the foot of Pratomagno mountain.
Vinification: Repeated strict selection for the best grapes, undergoing traditional winemaking. Repeated pump-over with long maceration (15-16 days). After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for 1 year in oak barriques (mostly second and third passage). The wine is bottled 2 years from harvest and refines 1 year in bottle. ~1,500 bottles produced.
Tasting Notes: Deep ruby red with intense and ample bouquet of red berries and a scent of liquorice, cocoa and spices. Give the bottle some air - wine is full on the palate, with a good and long structure, rich tannins, varietal characteristics of Sangiovese, long aromatic persistence.
Price: $54.83