2021 Carussin Carico l'Asino Bianco

Region: Monferrato Asti < Piemonte < Italy  

Grapes: Carica l’Asino, Cortese, Favorita, Sauvignon Blanc

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified biodynamic farming with regenerative practices; clay/limestone soils; brief skin maceration; aged in stainless steel; bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal added SO2 at bottling only; 12.5% ABV

Winemaker: Bruna Ferro

The Ferro family is pretty special. Bruna is the boss lady, working with husband Luigi and sons Luca & Matteo to make soulful, authentic Piemontese wine (the old-school kind) while also giving back both locally and globally.  On a global level, they’re working to help protect the biodiversity of the Amazon Rainforest by donating 100% of the profits from the sale of one wine to the Otongo Association that supports rainforest protection. Home in Piemonte, Bruna uses her flock of adorable donkeys as therapy animals for local children - she brings in troubled kids to work on the farm, hang with the donkeys and learn to communicate through nature.  The kids also design the wine labels.  

Originally founded in 1927, the 5th-gen Ferro family farm also includes fields of barley for the production of their Clan!Destino beer. No chemicals have been harmed in either the land or the cellar since 1984, and they’ve been certified biodynamic for more than 20 years.  The wines are lighter and fresher than many you find in this very traditional region.  Like this fantastic white blend comprised mostly of local oddball grape Carica l'Asino with splashes of Cortese, Sauv Blanc and Favorita that is aromatic and peachy with a touch of richness and a great salty freshness.  A kiss of skin contact adds depth and texture.

The wine is named after it's primary grape "Carica l’Asino', which ironically means "load the donkey", referring to the transport of grapes from the vineyard with l'asino (donkeys) during the harvest.   It also happens to tie in beautifully to winemaker Bruna Ferro's passion, her flock of donkeys that she uses to help rehabilitate troubled children from Milan -- one of them drew the adorable donkey on the label.   So many things to love about this wine!