Piana Rotaliana by Foradori
On a recent trip to Italy for a friend’s wedding, my wife and I decided to stop in the Dolomites for some day hiking and of course…..wine. We don’t really take trips to Europe without that second part in mind. What I can tell you was that I was immediately reminded of the age old saying, ‘Wine only grows in beautiful places”. Traveling up from Milan through Trento all the way to Bolzano was a feast for the eyes; a kind of wild Jurassic green screen that you couldn’t believe to be real and yet it was right outside the train windows at all angles. Clinging to the steep cliffs on all sides were vineyards whose farming could only be a labor of love and passion given the extreme danger and difficulty of management. In the wines of Alto-Adige you taste this passion, and you taste the love of a beautiful people that feel just as Germanic as they do Italian.
This areas has indeed been occupied by both German and Italian peoples depending on the era in history. This ebb and flow of cultural exchange has resulted in unique nuances like bacon dumplings and kraut served alongside tomato pasta with sharp cheese. The wines of this region must perform a complex dance, holding up to the heavier foods of the Germanic and matching the acidity and lift of the Italian. You can find everything from Riesling to Pinot Grigio to Pinot Noir to Schiava in that grand landscape, and many more varietals only found there. One winery worth your immediate attention is focused on elevating the native grape varieties (they practically preserved their existence) and showing the deep connection between wine and earth: Foradori.
Foradori is renowned for its commitment to biodynamic farming and the revival of indigenous grape varieties. Established in 1901, the winery gained prominence under the stewardship of Elisabetta Foradori, who took over in 1984. She revolutionized the vineyard practices by shifting towards biodynamic agriculture, which emphasizes sustainability and harmony with nature. This approach has not only enhanced the quality of the wines but also ensured the preservation of the local ecosystem.
As mentioned before, One of Foradori’s significant contributions to the wine world is the revival of the Teroldego grape, a native variety of Trentino. When Elisabetta Foradori began her work, Teroldego was almost forgotten, but through meticulous selection and breeding of the best vines, she managed to bring it back to prominence and cultural esteem. The result is a range of Teroldego wines that are celebrated for their depth, complexity, and unique expression of the local terroir. The winery’s flagship wine, Granato, made from Teroldego, has become a benchmark for the variety, showcasing its potential for elegance and longevity.
In addition to Teroldego, Foradori also produces wines from other indigenous varieties such as Nosiola and Manzoni Bianco. These white wines are crafted with the same dedication to biodynamic principles, resulting in expressions that are both distinctive and reflective of the Dolomites’ unique climate and soils. They employ skin-contact maceration for such wines that brings exoticly spicy fruit and complex flavors which you won’t find in the more linear and crisp whites of the
The winery’s commitment to biodynamic practices extends beyond the vineyards to the cellar, where natural fermentation, minimal intervention, and the use of large, neutral oak casks help to preserve integrity and authenticity. This holistic approach has earned Foradori a reputation as a pioneer in natural winemaking, and an inspiration point for other wineries in the broader region. Today, Elisabetta Foradori’s children continue her legacy, and the wines have never been better.
Cellar at Foradori
5% off any 3-5 bottles of in-stock Foradori wines
10% off any 6 or more bottles of in-stock Foradori wines
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Discount ends Wednesday, July 31st at 9 am Pacific
10% off any 6 or more bottles of in-stock Foradori wines
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Discount ends Wednesday, July 31st at 9 am Pacific
In Stock and On Sale Now from Foradori:
Foradori Fontanasanta Manzoni Bianco Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $31.90, that’s $30.30 at 5% off and $28.71 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “This is so perfumed and attractive with candied stone fruit, glazed tangerines, honey, dried flowers and beeswax. Full-bodied and layered with super polished texture and vivid fruit character, accompanied by vivid acidity and subtle floral undertones. Savory at the end with a lengthy finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Foradori Fontanasanta Manzoni Bianco Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $34.50, that’s $32.77 at 5% off and $31.05 at 10% off, 31 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Amazing aromas of white flowers, beeswax, tangerines and ripe apples. Full and intense with dried lemons and apples and fascinating honey and floral notes. Phenolic texture. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
Foradori Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.1 at 10% off, 34 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Exquisite mix of dark fruit and earthy notes wrapped up with violets. Great fruit concentration and tension on the palate, with an extra dimension of blood orange fruit, a medium body and tight tannins that are polished on the finish. It shows sucrosity and is very crunchy. Drink or hold.”
Foradori Lezer Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.1 at 10% off, 18 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Fresh and crunchy, with red berries, pomegranate, dried orange peel and hibiscus. Medium-bodied and dry, with crushed stone minerality. Slightly chalky in the finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.”
Foradori Granato Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Vinous 96 points “Minty herbs and camphor give way to black currants and savory spices, as the 2019 Teroldego Granato blossoms in the glass. This is polished and elegant with a deep inner spiciness and depths of dark red fruits. Cooling acids and minerals help to lift the expression, holding the 2019’s power in reserve, and creating a youthful yet totally harmonious expression. While structured and built for the long term, I recommend checking in on at least one bottle to enjoy the intensity of its primary fruit. This is an undeniably classic Granato in the making. In 2019, the Foradori family used 30% whole-cluster fruit while fermenting the Granato.”