I'll Drink to That! Wine Talk 423: Elena Pantaleoni Remembers When Making Natural Wine Felt Lonely
Jun 17, 2017
Elena Pantaleoni, the visionary behind La Stoppa winery, has long championed natural wine, even when it was a lonely pursuit in the 90s. In this conversation, she reveals her bold decision to ditch popular international grape varieties for lesser-known local ones. Elena highlights the importance of terroir, explaining how soil impacts flavor and authenticity. She also discusses the intersection of music and wine, embracing both tradition and innovation in her winemaking journey. Elena's insights showcase her passion for her craft and the future of Italian wine.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Founding Vision And Early Vineyard Mix
- Elena describes La Stoppa's 19th-century founder who planted many French varieties and aimed for long-aging wines.
- Her father bought the estate in 1973 and initially inherited many Bordeaux grapes alongside a few local vines.
Identity Over Imitation
- Elena decided to remove international varieties to give La Stoppa a distinct identity tied to local grapes.
- She concluded copies of Bordeaux-style wines would never replace wines made from her place's varieties.
Going Against 1990s Fashion
- In the mid-1990s Elena ripped out Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot because they didn't suit the place despite market fashion.
- She planted Malvasia and local varieties even when subsidies favored international grapes.