Foradori “Fontanasanta” Manzoni Bianco 2023

The Land:

High above Trento, the Fontanasanta vineyards span five hectares of calcareous clay soils, an ideal setting for Manzoni Bianco. This unique grape—a crossing of Riesling and Pinot Bianco—thrives in the region’s warm days and cool nights, allowing for slow, even ripening into late September. The site’s distinctive terroir gives the wine a layered complexity, balancing structure with tension. Manzoni Bianco is a variety that rewards patience, gaining depth and nuance with time in bottle.

The Wine:

Fermented on the skins in cement tanks and aged for seven months in acacia casks, Fontanasanta is a wine of texture and evolution. The skin contact enhances its structure while maintaining a lifted, mineral-driven profile. Citrus peel, white flowers, and stone fruit emerge alongside saline and herbal notes, all woven into a taut, elegant frame. Acacia wood aging imparts a gentle roundness without overshadowing the wine’s natural vibrancy. While expressive in its youth, Fontanasanta reaches its peak with a few years of cellaring, revealing deeper complexity and a refined, savory edge.

The People:

Founded in 1901, Foradori has been a cornerstone of Trentino winemaking for over a century. The winery’s modern era began in 1939 when Vittorio Foradori took ownership, with subsequent generations shaping its evolution. In 1984, Elisabetta Foradori, fresh from her studies at S. Michele all’Adige’s wine school, took on her first vintage, setting in motion a profound transformation. She dedicated herself to reviving Teroldego, initiating mass selections in 1985, and launching iconic wines like Granato (1986) and Morei (1987). Her commitment deepened in 2002 with the estate’s conversion to biodynamic farming, culminating in Demeter certification in 2009. Today, Foradori is led by Elisabetta’s children, the fourth generation to run the estate. Emilio manages wine production, Theo oversees business operations, and Myrtha steers the farm’s expansion, including vegetable and cheese production. Together, they continue Foradori’s legacy of minimal intervention winemaking, expressing the purity and authenticity of their land with every bottle.