In Scriò di Dolegna del Collio, the winery is founded on a sustainable approach that respects local identity. Six labels that express the character of the marl and sandstone soil, with salinity as a distinctive trait. Organic farming. Minimal intervention in the cellar. And listening to nature.
“I didn’t want a winery in Collio, I wanted this winery in Collio.” Alex Maccan sums up the reason that led him to acquire Tenuta La Ponca in 2021. We are in Scriò di Dolegna del Collio, in the highest part of the territory, at the foot of Mount Korada. Here, on 12 hectares of vineyards surrounded by 45 hectares of forest, a winemaking project takes shape that focuses on the identity and expressiveness of the place.
LA PONCA: THE SOIL AS THE WINERY’S DISTINCTIVE ELEMENT
The vineyards benefit from the contrast between the cold currents from Korada and the Bora, which ensure constant ventilation. The microclimate allows management according to organic farming principles. But the heart of the project is the soil: la ponca. A geological formation of marl and sandstone dating back approximately 65 million years.
The vines take root in this bedrock, drawing a minerality that is reflected in the wines, characterized by pronounced salinity. The parcels – Pacial, Petris, Paglizza, Casa Rossa, Skal and Ronc – are located between 180 and 320 meters altitude. Six grape varieties are cultivated: Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia, Friulano, Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Schioppettino.
TENUTA LA PONCA: LESS IS MORE
At the foundation of La Ponca’s philosophy is the principle of “less is more.” Agronomic management and winemaking aim to preserve the identity of the grape varieties and the territory. Interventions in the cellar are reduced to a minimum. The goal is to obtain “wines of integrity that reflect the place, cultivation and character of Collio.” Alex Maccan explains further: “Producing wines that truly express what generated them, in an essential way.”
ALEX MACCAN AND LA PONCA: A PACT BETWEEN MAN AND NATURE
The work in the vineyard confronts every day a complex environment, made of fragile soils, steep slopes and a variable climate. La Ponca’s team faces these challenges with an approach inspired by the balance between man and nature. Listening to the rhythm of the seasons, observing and acting with measure are central aspects of the production method. “Every harvest is a step in an evolutionary journey,” Maccan concludes. “I share the results obtained, aware that working the land is a path that looks to the future.”
Tenuta La Ponca: Alex Maccan’s Wine (and Life) Choice. https://laponca.com/.
