KERMIT LYNCH WINE MERCHANT

The Gregoletto family name can be found in historical archives dating from the late 16th, early 17th century, as viticoltori in the hills of Premaor di Miane, near Valdobbiadene. When driving through this area today, the true heart of what is now the Prosecco DOCG, one is struck by the primitive nature of these hills. Gazing up at the steep, rustic ravines covered in wooden stakes and head-trained vines, you instantly are aware that this area of the world has changed very, very little over the centuries—viticulturally speaking. The Gregoletto family has two real specialties: semi-sparkling wine made sui lieviti or on its lees (also known as col fondo), and still wine made from grapes most commonly used to make sparkling wine. They are among the very last growers in the Veneto to cultivate the indigenous Verdiso grape, making magnificent tranquillo and sui lieviti bottlings from it. They also make Prosecco in all of its forms: still, demi-sec, semi-sparkling, and metodo classico.

Until his passing in 2021, Luigi Gregoletto managed the farm, recording more than seventy harvests in his impressive career. Today, his family carries on the tradition. All of the Gregolettos’ work from the vines to the bottling is done by hand—artisanally, carefully, and patiently—based on oral traditions passed down over the centuries. Many of their secrets are closely guarded. The sui lieviti bottlings represent the history of this region before the Champagne method was invented. Secondary fermentation takes place in bottle slowly and a fine sediment forms in the bottom of the bottle–by carefully pouring the wine you can easily leave the sediment in the bottle. The Gregolettos recommend using the small amount of wine with this fondo or remaining deposit for making risotto! Rest assured, it is also perfectly safe to drink.

The Gregoletto family’s wines are incredibly pure, refreshing, and elegant and can be enjoyed effortlessly. They provide instant pleasure.