Gini

The Gini family has cultivated vines in Monteforte d'Alpone, in the heart of Soave Classico, since the 1500s. Land ownership in the Contrada Salvarenza area is documented as early as the 16th century, and records from the 1600s and 1700s confirm successive generations as working vignerons. Today the estate is run by brothers Sandro and Claudio Gini, with Sandro's son Matteo representing the next generation. This continuity across more than four centuries makes Gini one of the oldest active estates in the Soave appellation.

• Viticultural presence in Monteforte d'Alpone documented since the 1500s
• Historic documents from the 1600s,1700s confirm the family as vignerons
• Currently managed by Sandro, Claudio, and Matteo Gini
• Over 400 years of unbroken family winemaking history in Soave Classico

Gini farms 35 hectares across the volcanic hills of Monteforte d'Alpone at elevations between 100 and 200 meters. The soils are a mix of volcanic tuff, calcareous layers, and decomposed volcanic and granitic material, lending a pronounced mineral character to the wines. The Froscà hill area benefits from a cool continental climate moderated by cold Alpine air currents, while constant gentle winds from the Adriatic help maintain vine health. Monteforte d'Alpone is notable for having the highest vineyard density in Europe, with 95,96% of the land under vine.

• Soils: volcanic tuff, calcareous layers, decomposed volcanic and granitic material
• Elevations from 100 to 200 meters above sea level
• Cool continental climate with Alpine currents and Adriatic breezes
• Monteforte d'Alpone holds Europe's highest vineyard density at 95,96%

Gini practices fully certified organic and biodynamic viticulture with a minimal intervention philosophy. About one-third of the Contrada Salvarenza vineyards are pre-phylloxera and ungrafted, with an average vine age across the estate of 90 years. The estate was the first in the Soave region to introduce temperature-controlled fermentation, doing so in 1979, and stopped adding SO2 during fermentation in 1985. The underground cellar is carved directly from volcanic tuff, providing naturally stable temperature and humidity without mechanical conditioning.

• Certified organic and biodynamic viticulture across all 35 hectares
• Vine average age of 90 years; pre-phylloxera ungrafted vines in Contrada Salvarenza
• First Soave producer to use temperature-controlled fermentation (1979)
• SO2-free fermentation practice in place since 1985; cellar carved from volcanic tuff

Gini's flagship wines are Garganega-based whites from Soave Classico DOC, built on a core of mineral precision and age-worthy structure. The historic crus include La Froscà, a six-hectare plot planted in 1930, Contrada Salvarenza, and Col Foscarin. Beyond white wine, the estate also produces Valpolicella and Amarone from Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Oseleta, sweet Recioto di Soave DOCG, and sparkling wines. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Nero round out the grape portfolio.

• La Froscà: 6-hectare cru planted in 1930, a benchmark for the estate
• Contrada Salvarenza and Col Foscarin are additional historic single-vineyard crus
• Range includes Soave Classico DOC, Amarone, Recioto di Soave DOCG, and sparkling wines
• Grapes grown: Garganega, Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, Oseleta, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Nero