Castello di Tassarolo ’Orsola’ Monferrato Rosso 2021

Location: Italy, Piedmont, Gavi

Winemaker: Massimiliana Spinola & Henry Finzi-Constantine

Grapes: Mostly Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon

Soil: Marl, silty clay

Winemaking: Hand harvest. The grapes are crushed and undergo classic maceration and fermentation in tanks with indigenous yeast only, for 15 days. 6 months on lees in stainless steel. Light filtration, no fining. No added sulfites. 

From the Importer Jenny & François: The compelling label of ‘Orsola’ is based on a portrait that the iconic Andy Warhol made of Orsola Spinola, a relative of the Castello di Tassarolo owner and winemaker Massimiliana Spinola. As Massimiliana herself tells the story: “Orsola lived in New York for a few years when Warhol was still alive – she collected many American artists’ works because she was passionate about American modern art, but she especially loved Andy’s art. In fact, she was so keen on him that not one, but two portraits of her were painted by Warhol, both still hanging in her house not far from our winery.” In homage to the beautiful Orsola, one of these unique works of pop art graces the label, and the wine was named after her.

Ran by Massimiliana Spinola and Henry Finzi-Constantine, L’Azienda Vitivinicola Castello di Tassarolo is situated in the commune of Tassarolo in the heart of Gavi in Piedmont and consists of 20 hectares of vineyards that surrounds the winery. The variety of vines cultivated on the estate are “Cortese di Gavi”, Barbera and some Cabernet Sauvignon. The Spinola family, who has inhabited the castle in Tassarolo in some form or another since 250 AD, has been making wine from these vines since the year 1367! In 2006 Henry and Massimiliana began developing biodynamic methods of viticulture that guarantees the maximum respect for nature and the environment.

Henry, born and raised in London, is the first to develop working heavy horses in the vineyards in the North of Italy. He concerns himself with working the land and the health of the vines. He is collaborating with other experts in the field, in designing and developing draught equipment for biodynamic farming methods in the vineyards. He has also been a passionate student of Rudolf Steiner’s philosophies for over 20 years, and applies this methods to his work in the vines. Henry currently holds courses that teaches the theory and practice of heavy horses within the vineyards, forest and fields, and is developing a nationally recognized certificate for the various fields of work suitable for implementing heavy horses, in regards on promoting heavy horse work in Piedmont.

Massimiliana works closely with their enologist Vincenzo to make the wines in the cantina. Together they have developed a method of making white wines without any added sulfur and without oxidative properties, a difficult feat for many involved in Natural Winemaking. They attribute much of their success in this endeavor to the health of the soil and grapes afforded by Henry’s biodynamic work.