ISOLABELLA DELLA CROCE
THE PEOPLE
Lodovico and Maria Teresa: the founders.
Luigi and Francesco: research and drive.
Andrea Elegir: young Piedmont director and innovative winemaker with a healty respect for tradition.
OUR MISSION
The Terra Protetta project is born of the Isolabella family's passion for the terroir of Loazzolo, Italy's smallest DOC controlled appellation to preserve the unique magic of this land and its fruit.
Loazzolo, which nestles in a natural amphitheatre situated at over 500 metres above sea level in the hills of Asti's Alta Langa district, is one of Italy's smallest DOC appellations.
Our ties with this land go back many generations, strengthened by the knowledge that we are the custodians of a truly unique natural heritage that belongs first and foremost to Mother Nature. We have created the Terra Protetta project in recognition of its immense worth.
This incredible terroir is so single-mindedly dedicated to the production of excellent wines and yet it has so many secrets that many are destined to remain a mystery simply because its unfathomable beauty reaches far beyond the limits of rational thought. Nevertheless, we are committed on both a personal and financial level to protecting it and sustaining it. We are grateful for each and every harvest. Each tells its own tale of human devotion and its fruitful union with nature.
VINEYARDS SAFEGUARDING WITH A MORE THAN 50% SLOPE
This is a Loazzolo typical characteristic where slopes reaches even 80%! Without man work these lands would be abandoned with considerable damage to the landscape. Our Project is part of new Surì Vineyards selection made by Moscato d’Asti producer Consortium.
HEROIC EXPERIMENTATION
In our soils some vines such as Pinot are acclimatized; in 2007 we planted “La Vela” vineyard with Pinot Noir considered unrepeatable due to its extreme characteristics in slope and vines density per hectare (over 11,000). This plantation intensity induces a reduction on the plant "green" part development, and concentrate all its essences in grapes.
LOAZZOLO ECOSYSTEM SAFEGUARDING
CO2 compensation; we measure it and thanks to woods that naturally coexist with vineyards we calculated that we are in credit with Co2 production, derived from wine transport by wheel.
THE NATURAL AMPHITHEATRE
At an altitude of 500 metres, in the hills dividing the Belbo and Bormida valleys in Asti's Alta Langa zone, a three-kilometre-long range forms the amphitheatre of Borgo Isolabella. It boasts a south-facing aspect ranging from due east to due west seems to create an embrace for the Bormida river.
There are eleven hectares of vines nestled among the woods, perched on magnificently exposed but incredibly steep slopes, in a unique natural symphony.
The Surrond
Springs. The roots journey into the heart of the earth.
The hills of the amphitheatre are riddled with subterranean streams that provide a vital reserve of water for the vines. The roots manage to penetrate below the many layers of rock to absorb precious saline and mineral elements that further add to the wine's bouquet.
Woodlands. Faithful wardens of the vines.
The natural amphitheatre is distinguished by the wild yet soothing presence of expanses of woodlands, which have a purifying effect. The vineyards at Borgo Isolabella are ensconced in dozens of hectares of forests, whose refreshing presence protects the vines from the torrid summer heat. In addition, the night-time temperatures can drop by as much as 15 °C, which gives the vines an additional reprieve, thereby improving the quality of the fruit. The forests also oxygenate the vineyards, which helps the vines to photosynthesize chlorophyll at altitude.