VINEYARD | We are located on the Liguria coast, precisely in some of the most suitable vineyards on the hills of Bonassola. The soils are mostly clayey, the climate is warm but very windy and exposure guarantees correct and constant ripening of the grapes. It is here that Ruzzese was born, or rather reborn, a historic native grape variety that Davide and Giuseppe, owners of Ca' du Ferrà, discovered after participating in a conference on the historic grapes of Liguria. An ancient white grape variety, typical of eastern Liguria Levante, once cultivated in the area between Bonassola, the Cinque Terre and the Colli di Luni, from which historically a wine of great value was produced. The first productions date back to the 6th century AD, but its peak came in 1500 when it became the most appreciated wine by Pope Paul III Farnese. For more than four centuries, Ruzzese wine, in its sweet version, was poured at the most important tables, but then, like other varieties, it disappeared when phylloxera devoured and destroyed most European vineyards. Currently Davide and Giuseppe have 1,500 plants located on the terraced hills of Bonassola overlooking the sea.
PERSONS | Davide Zoppi and Giuseppe Luciano Aieta are the young owners of the Ca' du Ferrà winery, a small artisan wine production in the municipality of Bonassola. United in life and in wine, they passionately carry on a veritable boutique winery and here they produce various labels that arise from the most ancient Liguria tradition, but that are absolutely projected into the future. The winery is also linked to the Ca' du Ferrà Farm & Relax agritourism farmhouse, a reality that Davide inherited from his family and that became his current occupation. The wines produced are authentic, highly territorial, fruit of passion and of this beautiful portion of Liguria. The varieties the winery grows are Vermentino, Bosco, Albarola among the whites, Sangiovese, Vermentino Nero, Ciliegiolo, Syrah and Merlot among the red grapes. Then there is the rediscovered Bruzzese, from which they obtain the elegant passito that we present to you.
WINE | Let's start with the name. "What's more personal than a birthdate? This wine is a tribute to Giuseppe but also to the history of Ruzzese. Dates and numbers have forged centuries, and it is precisely by drawing from past centuries that we have recovered and brought back to life this unique Liguria vine" says Davide. Very few bottles are produced, packaged strictly by hand, fruits of an artisanal production also in the packaging. In 2015 the first 77 rooted vines were replanted which then became 1500. In 2020 the first harvest, late, and the consequent drying of the grapes which lasted until the end of November. The resulting wine has an incredible nose. Aromas alternate between primary notes of ripe white fruit and iodised touches in which hints of Mediterranean herbs and marine shrubs are present. The mouth is even more surprising: a warm, soft, never cloying sweetness is immediately perceived, perfectly balanced by a textbook sapidity and an acidic freshness that comes out in the finish, guaranteeing a nice clean taste and incredible depth.
