Pride for a territory that needs to be protected. The last prize received, the son of a long rural history
Roberto Petacchi’s label, winemaker of Colli di Luni and owner of Azienda Agricola Giacomelli, is among the 500 labels awarded with Quattro Viti, the highest mark given by Guida Vitae 2018, at its fourth edition. The label we are talking about is Vermentino “Pianacce” and in this interview Petacchi will tell us about it , as well as something about his wines, that are the result of a loved territory and farmer’s tradition, passed on by grandad Pietro, who established the farm in 1915.
Do you want to tell us something about the awarded label ?
Of my two Vermentino wines (the other one is called “Boboli”), Pianacce is the one that better explains the true spirit of Vermentino Colli di Luni, with its freshness, minerality and its young crawler temper. Its grapes are mainly from my vine “Le Pianacce”. This vine is the is the highest, as it is located at 265 metres above the sea level. The vines are places on 3 hectares terraces. It is influenced by the cold winds of the Apuan Alps and a little bit less by the sea, compared to the other vines. The wine produced by Pianacce grapes has an excellent acidity. The vine has Vermentino grapes, its position faces the south and the soil is mainly sandstone that crumbles under the sun.
This was not the first award given to your farm.
I try to make the most of the gifts given to us by nature, and here this is possible, thanks to the great variety of vines, the different types of soils, and the sea winds that provide sapidity but at the same time leave a natural balance in the vines. I hope to obtain wines that have more character and elegance, with the aim of strengthening their organic nature.
Tell us how Azienda Agricola Giacomelli started its activity and how Roberto Petacchi has become a winemaker.
My maternal grandfather founded the farm in 1915, we produced wine, olive oil, and grew vegetables, but also milk, and meat as we had cows in the barn, Grandad Pietro’s farm was a typical Ligurian farm. As I inherited a passion for agriculture since I was a child, in 1993 I took over and concentrated the activity on viticulture and the production of wine.
I have gradually selected,bought and planted 8 hectares of vineyards, mainly with Vermentino grapes. Choosing the best historic areas in Castelnuovo and Ortonovo. Then the hectares have slowly become 12 with Vermentino, Malvasia from Candia, Albarola, Sangiovese, Merlot and Canaiolo grapes.
What do “Colli di Luni” mean to you?
They represent the craddle of one of the best Vermentino wines in the world. Our territory that needs to be protected and maintain, and the rural history from which I come from.
Organic, natural and biodynamic wine. What do you think?
Respect for nature and traditions mean protection of a heritage that is a fundamental part of our origins and identity. Respect for the environment means obtaining high quality products combined with wealth, for us and our children. As regards the management of the vineyard and the cellar we have always chosen criteria of responsability both towards the environment and health.
We don’t want to be tagged in any way: we adopt the best working methods available at present, with the lowest impact for our heath and environment, without ideological limitations. In the vineyards we try to keep a natural balance, so that human intereference is minimum and little invasive.
To do so we use up to date equipment that allows us to obtain the best results without using herbicides.
In which direction do you think the future of the Ligurian viticulture is going?
I find with great satisfaction, that we are doing a great quality job. We see more and more very good Vermentinos!
