PODERE RIOSTO - Vini e Agriturismo

Nestled on the hills south of Bologna, Podere Riosto stretches towards the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines along the historic Futa highway, which links Bologna with Florence. The estate is deeply rooted in the unique characteristics of its territory, marked by a sandy soil texture, sunny summers, snowy winters, and excellent vineyard exposure (South, South/East, and South West) at 350 meters above sea level. These natural conditions, combined with state-of-the-art oenological technologies and a strong commitment to tradition and environmental sustainability, produce remarkable quality and character wines.

Podere Riosto boasts 24 specialist vineyards classified as Cru, covering around 16 hectares. The vineyards are arranged using espalier structures with spurred cordon or Guyot pruning systems and 3×1 plant spacing, which help maintain and amplify the grapes' sensory richness alongside low yields and hand harvesting. The main varieties cultivated under the Colli Bolognesi DOC designation include Pignoletto, Chardonnay, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and the rare, historical Vite del Fantini.

The story of Vite del Fantini is a compelling testament to passion and preservation. Discovered in 1961 by Luigi Fantini in the Pianoro area, the vine was left to the wild until Stefano Galli undertook its recovery with dedication. Working alongside agronomist Federico Curtaz, the GAL 5 Valli, and researchers from the University of Bologna, a thorough study of its genetic and morphological traits culminated in its official registration in the Italian Grapevine Register in 2009. Today, Podere Riosto honors this rediscovered legacy through two expressive wines: Vecchio Riosto and Spumante Rosé For You.

Podere Riosto stands out not only for its unique terroir but also for its commitment to innovation and excellence in winemaking. The winery applies advanced techniques to its white wine production, including fermentation without sulphur dioxide and the use of the DRM (Double Reasoned Maturation) method directly in the vineyard. This approach, combined with skin maceration, maximizes the aromatic potential of the grapes and enhances both the longevity and stability of the resulting wines. Sparkling wines from Podere Riosto are crafted through fermentation processes conducted at very low temperatures, ensuring the preservation of delicate aromas and structure. Each fermentation stage follows precise protocols tailored to the wine's intended character.

Red wines at Podere Riosto are brought to their full expression through calibrated maceration in rotary fermenters. These carefully selected wines are then aged in a combination of Slavonian oak barrels and French Allier oak barriques, with the ageing process extending for approximately two years to achieve complexity and depth. For its sparkling and spumante offerings, Podere Riosto adopts the Martinotti-Charmat method, which emphasizes fermentation at low temperatures to develop a refined, elegant perlage that distinguishes the estate’s sparkling wines.