The La Scolca estate was purchased between 1917 and 1919 by the great-grandfather of Giorgio Soldati who, today, leads the company with his daughter Chiara.
In 1919, at the time of purchase, the land was used, in part, to produce grain and the rest was covered by forest. The Soldati family had a well-studied plan: to plant Cortese vineyards in an area traditionally used to cultivate only red grapes. The production soon became a major technical enterprise. La Scolca is the oldest company in the area for continuity of management by the same family. It is also the most modern.
The surname Soldati “soldiers” is particularly symbolic of the approach taken by the company’s owners. The name of the property, as well, is symbolic. La Scolca comes from “Sfurca” or “Look off into the distance” and the farmhouse that stood there was exactly that – a lookout post.
These names reflect the proud and tenacious character of the owners and their wines
The Vineyard
La Scolca has its vineyards in the most beautiful locations in Rovereto, and its “Gavi dei Gavi”® represents the very best of the wine the can be found in this microarea. But this exciting result does not come exclusively because of the fortunate position of our vineyards: it is also the fruit of well-considered enological practice. With raw materials and conditions similar to other producers in the area, our expertise permits us to always be one step ahead.
The Cortese grapes, for example, in the Gavi region, near Novi Ligure, result in a wine with an aristocratic personality – basic and intense, durable and elegant; and, within the borders of the small municipality of Gavi, the best results are obtained in the Rovereto district. If we classify the region as is done in France, Rovereto di Gavi would be, without any doubt, the “Grand Cru” of the Cortese grape.
The Gavi wine made from the Cortese grape was actually invented here at La Scolca in the 1950s. It has since become a classic.
The Company manages an area of about 50 hectares of vineyards, consisting of about 200 km. of rows of vines. During a single crop season, these rows are visited from eight to ten times, on foot or by a tractor. The distance from the plant to plant ranges from 90 cm to 2.4 metres. The density is about 4500 vines per hectare. All the vineyards are in the best sites of Rovereto di Gavi. Sea air, full sunlight exposure from sunrise to sunset, coolness and minimal dews. All of these elements create the proper alternating conditions that are ideal for a complete and correct ripening of the grapes, a prerequisite for good wine.
In order to make this our “Gavi dei Gavi”™ grappa, we collect marc into proper containers, to protect its freshness. Afterward, it’s placed into 4 meters deep tubs and it ferments at 18° – 20° temperature. Using stills there is the first production, subsequently distilled at water-bath and indirect steam with pressure less than 1 atmosphere. This way of production allows the distillate separation at a temperature of less than 95°, in order to protect flavours and marc delicacy. The concentration into column starts with a low number of plates for a minimum splitting and an optimum flavor leaching.
3 month of refining into used barrels (used for prestigious wine aging) give to the initial marc’s flavours a great enhancement. Using this detailed procedure this distillate takes elegant and well-balanced notes without oak flavours’ overlaps.
MARC’S ORIGIN: Azienda Agricola LA SCOLCA s.s. – Rovereto di Gavi
TYPE: Cortese Grape – del Comune di Gavi.
DISTILLATION MOMENT: Within October and November, according to vintages.
GRADATION: 40°.
PRODUCT AVAILABILLITY: The whole year.
TASTING TEMPERATURE: Room temperature.
PARTICULAR: Rare attitude to develop its flavours at low temperature, lower than 6 °C.
PERFUME: Harmonic, elegant, pleasant delicate and persistent.
TASTE: Wide, soft, fruity with almond inklings, typical of Cortese grape.
The “Gavi dei Gavi”™ grappa is their winning entry to the recently concluded Japan Awards 2019.
La Scolca offers 5 types of site tours and wine tasting. Your visit will consist of wine tasting for 2-3 wines, a professional Sommelier to accompany you, a cellar tour, and depending on the package – a token.
They are open from Mondays to Fridays.
For more information about their wines, CLICK HERE
