Cascina degli Ulivi

Cascina degli Ulivi produces wines from vineyards of around 16 hectares that have been worked using biodynamic methods since 1985. The estate has been in the Bellotti family since the 1930's and is now run by Stefano Bellotti. He is deeply commmited to organics and biodynamics, and raises not only vines but vegetables and livestock, which are sold wholesale and also served at their small restaurant attached to their agriturismo rooms for rent. As Stefano puts it, "We consider that the soil is a ‘companion organism’ for everything that lives. In working our vines, we foster the potential harmony of all those forces that contribute to the flow of vitality (of the vine)". The grapes are hand-harvested, crushed and fermented with wild yeasts and withouth sulfur. The wines are aged in a range of well-used old barrels and botti, the largest clocking in at 11,000 liters. They are bottled without fining or filtering