Vistorta is a historical village situated in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia,
in the northeastern part of Italy, where the Brandolini family has lived for
more than 600 years. It is here at Vistorta that the grapes are grown for
the wines of Conte Brandolini.
The farm or “azienda agricola ”, was created in 1872 with a long term vision
of modernity from Count Guido Brandolini . He was one of the first to plant
Merlot in the area after the phylloxera plague. They were also producing
corn and wheat and breeding silkworms, and selling the products at local
markets.
In 2005, the Vistorta project converts to organic farming. The entire farm,
which has some 220 hectares, became certified organic in 2008. 2009 was
the first certified organic wine vintage. In the vineyards, Vistorta uses only
sulfur and copper, fertilizing with green manure and compost. The work in
the winery focuses on the natural development of the best characteristics
of higher quality grapes, with the help of certified products and selected
autochthonous yeasts. In the remaining areas of the farm, Vistorta follows
an attentive schedule based on cover crop rotation, to always enrich soils
(such as vetch, white mustard and clover in customized mixtures).
Covering 37 hectares, Merlot is Vistorta’s heritage and passion. It covers 14
different small parcels with N/S sun exposition and 45msl. The oldest
vineyard, called Ridiel , was planted in 1918.
Winemaking at Vistorta is performed with relatively simple, minimalist
oenological facilities that allows the whole process to flow harmoniously,
from harvest to bottling. In In the winery, three rooms contain vitrified
concrete vats that are used throughout the different winemaking stages of
both whites and reds. These different sized vats allow for flexibility,
custom tailoring the wines from every vineyard. In the barrel bottle room, the
prestigious Vistorta reds are aged, frequently using French oak barriques
and big barrels. This creates long lasting and wonderful vintages of both
red and white wines.
5+5 stands for the five generation of the González who have led the company into 21st century, and for the next five generation who will continue a mission based on the good work done so far.