Native Territory

Native Territory

Since time immemorial grapes have been grown on the slopes where the Tresinaro Valley meets the river Secchia, taking advantage of the clay-rich soils, the correct exposure to the sun and a mild microclimate ideal for growing grapes.

This is the natural scenic setting where the Casali Viticultori wine-making firm has flourished for over a century, and where it still has its base in an outlying hamlet of Scandiano called Pratissolo, charmingly derived from the Latin prata solis, meaning fields of sun.

Here, spread over 60 hectares of land, a whole array of grape varieties are lovingly grown, ranging from Sauvignon to Cabernet, with a notable amount of locally created cultivars, such as the Malbo Gentile, the Grasparossa, the Ancellotta and the Montericco. The outstanding native, however, is the Spergola grape, whose origins can be traced back to the XVth century, when it was mentioned by Bianca Cappello, Grand Duchess of Tuscany.
This vine grows only in the hillsides and foothills around Scandiano, and across the centuries has been given various names: Pomoria or Pellegrina in the 1600s, Spergolina, Spargolina normale and Spargolina molle in the 1800s.

In recent years Casali Viticultori has joined forces with other local producers in supporting the Compagnia della Spergola, a project that aims to protect and promote this small but priceless local heritage. Among the firm’s wines no less than four different products are made exclusively from Spergola grapes: two spumantes – Ca’ Besina and Villa Jano – and two Scandiano whites – Albòre Secco and Albòre Dolce.