De Stefani

THE HISTORY In the second half of the 1800s the founder, Valeriano De Stefani, identified the best soils for producing wines of marked personality, on the hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. Tiziano, the third generation, ventured into the Piave valley and found the Le Ronche estate at Fossalta di Piave and Pra' Longo at Monastier di Treviso. While respecting the family's old traditions, he introduced significant quality innovations in vineyard management and winemaking. Today Alessandro De Stefani, the fourth generation, produces wines according to a very natural philosophy, from old, very high-density vines; he has built a worldwide distribution network, with limited production and wines listed in the most important guides. THE WINERY The De Stefani family owns three estates, whose soils consist mainly of caranto: a special combination of clay, silt and minerals. Preference is given to native varieties such as Raboso, Tai, Refosco and Marzemino, alongside international varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Grigio and Carmenere. The vineyards are farmed without pesticides, herbicides or insecticides, and winemaking is carried out with indigenous yeasts, with no added sulphites or preservatives. The winery is energy self-sufficient, producing its own electricity from an array of 418 solar panels.