Suavia

Suavia's modern history traces to Giovanni Tessari, who consolidated the family's hillside Soave Classico vineyards in Fittà di Soave through the late 20th century. Following Giovanni's retirement, his four daughters (Meri, Alessandra, Valentina, and Arianna Tessari) took over operations, each focused on specific aspects of the business: viticulture, winemaking, sales, and administration respectively. The sister-led approach has positioned Suavia among the most respected female-led wine estates in Italy, alongside Marinella Camerani at Corte Sant'Alda and several other notable women producers in northern Italy. The estate has remained small-scale and quality-focused, prioritising old-vine fruit, traditional winemaking, and concentrated site expression over commercial expansion.

• Modern history traces to Giovanni Tessari, who consolidated hillside Soave Classico vineyards in Fittà di Soave
• Sister-led operations following Giovanni's retirement: Meri, Alessandra, Valentina, Arianna Tessari
• Each sister focused on specific aspects: viticulture, winemaking, sales, administration
• Among Italy's most respected female-led wine estates; small-scale, quality-focused, old-vine emphasis

Suavia's ~12 hectares of vineyards are concentrated on the volcanic basalt soils of Fittà di Soave, a hamlet within the Monteforte d'Alpone commune (the eastern Classico zone). The soils are derived from extinct Tertiary volcanism that produced the basaltic rock characteristic of the Lessini-Soave geological system. These soils produce the steeliest, most mineral-driven expression of Garganega, distinct from the limestone-rich clay-loam soils of the western Soave commune. Vineyards sit at elevations between 200 and 350 metres on south- and southeast-facing slopes. Old-vine plantings (some 60+ years old) contribute concentration and aromatic complexity that distinguish Suavia's bottlings from younger-vine estates. Vine density is approximately 4,500-5,000 vines per hectare, planted in the traditional Pergola Veronese system on the older parcels.

• ~12 hectares hillside vineyards in Fittà di Soave (Monteforte d'Alpone commune); eastern Classico zone
• Volcanic basalt and tuff soils (Tertiary volcanism, Lessini-Soave geological system); steely, mineral-driven Garganega
• Elevation 200-350m; south- and southeast-facing slopes
• Very old-vine plantings (some 60+ years); ~4,500-5,000 vines/hectare; Pergola Veronese on older parcels

Suavia practices traditional Soave winemaking with focus on preserving Garganega's primary aromatics. Hand-harvested fruit is gently pressed, with fermentation in stainless steel at cool cellar temperatures preserving the variety's delicate aromatic profile. The Soave Classico DOC ages briefly on lees in stainless steel; Le Rive Soave Superiore DOCG receives extended lees aging and may include neutral wood maturation in some vintages, building texture without imposing barrique vanilla. Acinatium Recioto di Soave DOCG is the passito sweet wine: hand-harvested grapes are dried on bamboo racks for up to 5-6 months in ventilated rooms, with fermentation arrested by cooling to preserve 90-120 g/L residual sugar. The wine ages in neutral wood for 12-18 months before bottling. The house style emphasises concentrated old-vine fruit, signature volcanic-basalt mineral lift, and the Garganega bitter-almond finish that defines quality Soave.

• Hand-harvest; gentle pressing; cool-temperature stainless-steel fermentation preserves Garganega's delicate aromatics
• Soave Classico DOC: brief lees aging in stainless steel for entry-tier expression
• Le Rive Soave Superiore DOCG: extended lees aging, occasional neutral wood maturation; builds texture without barrique vanilla
• Acinatium Recioto di Soave DOCG: 5-6 months grape drying; arrested fermentation preserves 90-120 g/L residual sugar; 12-18 months neutral wood aging

Suavia has earned consistent recognition from Italian wine guides (Gambero Rosso, Slow Wine, Bibenda) and international critics for the Le Rive Soave Superiore DOCG and Acinatium Recioto di Soave DOCG. Tre Bicchieri awards have been frequent for the Le Rive bottling, which is widely considered one of the finest expressions of Monteforte d'Alpone's volcanic basalt terroir. Library wines from older vintages (10+ years) demonstrate Garganega's underappreciated aging potential, developing honeyed weight, beeswax, and tertiary oxidative complexity reminiscent of mature Chablis. Acinatium has earned a reputation as among the most distinctive sweet whites of northern Italy, with notable longevity (15-25 years) that surpasses most contemporary dessert wines. The sister-led narrative has also drawn favorable press attention internationally.

• Frequent Tre Bicchieri awards from Gambero Rosso for Le Rive Soave Superiore DOCG
• Le Rive widely considered one of the finest expressions of Monteforte d'Alpone's volcanic basalt terroir
• Library wines (10+ years): honeyed weight, beeswax, tertiary oxidative complexity reminiscent of mature Chablis
• Acinatium Recioto di Soave DOCG: distinctive sweet white; 15-25 years longevity surpassing most contemporary dessert wines

Suavia's house style emphasises concentrated old-vine fruit, signature volcanic-basalt mineral lift, and the Garganega bitter-almond finish that defines quality Soave. Soave Classico DOC delivers fresh, mineral-driven entry-tier expression; Le Rive Soave Superiore DOCG develops greater textural weight and aging potential (10+ years for top vintages); Acinatium Recioto di Soave DOCG is the small-batch sweet wine for collectors. The estate welcomes visitors by appointment, with cellar tours and tastings offered by the sisters directly. International distribution is concentrated through specialty importers in the US, UK, and selected European markets, with limited supply reflecting the artisan-tier scale. Among Soave collectors, Suavia represents the leading sister-led alternative to Pieropan and Anselmi (the more historically established Soave benchmarks), with critical recognition consistent across Italian and international guides.

• House style: concentrated old-vine fruit, volcanic-basalt mineral lift, signature Garganega bitter-almond finish
• Le Rive Soave Superiore DOCG: 10+ years aging potential for top vintages
• Visits by appointment; cellar tours and tastings led by the Tessari sisters directly
• Leading sister-led alternative to Pieropan and Anselmi among Soave collectors