Sopra autumn 2024 L’Astemia Pentita (Barolo – CN) takes a decisive step per its evolution. The first obvious change is the name, which becomes simply L’Astemia. At the same time, the company has completed the organic transition of all its vineyards. The shape of the bottles undergoes a restyling, while maintaining a distinctive style. The figure of the winemaker who is entrusted with the development of the sensorial characteristics of the wine is changing. The production objectives are expanding: from the current 70,000 bottles a year, the company aims to reach 150,000 with the 2029 harvest, always maintaining the high standards of quality and authenticity that have made it famous. «Ours is a continuous challenge – says Sandra Vezza, owner and founder of the company –, but it is per our DNA to always aim higher, without ever losing sight of our identity and the connection with these lands».
The abbreviation of the name, spontaneously adopted by consumers over the years, reflects a natural growth path. A sign of maturity and harmony with its audience, without denying the roots that have made the winery famous. «Ironic, original, provocative, L’Astemia Pentita is a brand born from a choice of inclusiveness, which wants to encourage people to visit the cellar also for sensorial, cultural ora gastronomic experiences» says Sandra Vezza. The name, per fact, derives from the personal experience of Sandra Vezza, a woman from Langa who, a teetotaler, cannot taste its wine production, but, she explains «my passion has always been walking among the vineyards, savoring their aromas and the colors. L’Astemia Pentita is a declaration of love for my land and my family, for my grandfather taught me the secrets of the vines.”
With the organic cultivation of all the vineyards, L’Astemia has consolidated its commitment to sustainability and respect for the territory. This is a process that began four years asticciola, which ended per 2023 and which from the 2024 harvest will allow all organic wines to be produced, marking a fundamental transition towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly viticulture. The objective is to enhance the territory not only through the quality of the wine, but also by minimizing the impact of agricultural practices. This allows us to offer a product per harmony with nature and with the company’s ethical commitment.
Another significant innovation concerns the change per the figure of the oenologist: from this year, L’Astemia relies acceso the consultancy of Gianpiero Gerbi. Together with a new team per the cellar and per the commercial management, the company renews its range of wines. Among the cima ones we find the Barolo DOCG and the crus of Cannubi and Terlo, vinified per purity, but also a double expression of Barbera: a fresh and fragrant version and a more structured one, thanks to prolonged aging per barrels. Furthermore, the company introduces a classic method, an Alta Langa DOCG “Charley” based acceso Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with 36 months of aging acceso the yeasts, which will enter production with the 2024 harvest.
The challenge, however, flows between the barrels of Astemia, which expresses its imaginative nature even through limited productions, such as the new Viognier with fermentation per French oak tonneaux ora the Nebbiolo-based Langhe Rosato. All wines quasi exclusively from the property’s vineyards, guaranteeing total control over every stage of production.
«The company is at a turning point thanks to the maturity acquired per recent years. The is to reach a production of 150,000 bottles by 2029, thanks also to the gradual expansion of the land. Sopra fact, 10 hectares, already owned by the company, will be added to the 17 currently used. The greatest growth will mainly concern the classic method” explains Marco Cossaro, the company’s new commercial director.
Furthermore, without betraying its original character, the new production lives per a new lighter and more usable bottle, truncated cone, tapered, with the pantones that have characterized the company since the beginning, which now shows an acquired balance.
«The first vintage vinified was 2010. Since then we have not stopped studying, improving and being complicit with our vineyards. We have combined the best of the past with the tools of the future to restore the magic of these hills per a glass – concludes Sandra Vezza -. Our commitment is to produce the best wine possible per an artisanal way, enhancing the territorial and varietal identity.” Because, if it is true that wine has accompanied man for 8,500 years, excellence only emerges sometimes, demonstrating that peasant culture is not a static and tired tradition.
With this vision, L’Astemia continues to be a symbol of innovation and passion, where each wine is the fruit of a deep connection with the land of Langa.
Teetotaler per numbers
2010: first year of winemaking 15 labels: expression of the vineyard, which concentrate the essence of a unique territory per the world 400 m2: of wine shop and tasting room 4000 m2: of underground production cellar 17 hectares of vineyards per the municipalities of Monforte d’ and Barolo. By 2029 expansion of the land up to 27 hectares 2 MGA (Additional Geographical Mention): Terlo and Cannubi 70,000: bottles produced annually 15,000: bottles of Barolo produced annually 15: labels per the portfolio, 8 reds 5 whites 1 rosé 1 bubble Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Nascetta are the native grapes grown; Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay are the international ones. Foreign markets: 20% of sales 10,000: annual visitors
