NV Lunaria Ramoro Pinot Grigio Ancestral Method Pet’Nat

Region: Terre di Chieti > Abruzzo > Italy

Grapes: Pinot Grigio         

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: certified organic farming, Demeter-certified Biodynamic; clay soil, initial fermentation on skins in stainless steel, non-disgorged, no dosage, no added SO2; zero-zero; 12% ABV

Winemakers: Camillo Zulli

NEW VINTAGE!  Founded in 1964 by just seven producers, the Cantina Orsogna is now an expansive co-op winery made up of over 600 small growers. Co-ops are often looked down upon for their large scale production of supermarket wine but Cantina Orsogna is different. Nearly all of their growers are certified organic and many are certified biodynamic. The Lunaria line of wines is reserved especially for the biodynamic grapes and is much smaller production. Not surprisingly we like a lot of the things this group is doing. First, one of the primary ways they support biodynamic agriculture amongst their growers is crop rotation. Biodiversity is SO important for SO many reasons – soil health and climate change to name just two. And they also make our *second* favorite Italian product, olive oil! (the olive trees are also certified organic). Finally, the unique closure, a rope tied around the neck of the bottle is based on the old school method traditional to that region. They even work with a local non-profit to tie the ropes that supports employment for people with special needs.

The Pinot Grigio Method Ancestral is a gorgeous orangey-pink color, smells floral and sultry, and has a lovely chewy texture with punchy grapefruit notes mingling with peach and pear. It’s straightforward and clean, pretty, bright and bone-dry, nothing funky or assertive here -- the perfect Pet’Nat for beginners.  Swap out your mama’s Domaine Chandon for this and she’ll never go back...