our ORGANIC Commitment
We believe great tasting food and wine can also be good for us, that both can thrive together. We think organic certified quality is better for us and our environment. Not a passing fad, rather a path to a healthier, more sustainable life.
Our POINT OF DIFFERENCE
Our wines & olive oil reflect the authentic traditions of organic certified agriculture. Located in Montespertoli, 15 miles west of Florence in the heart of Tuscany, the working farm is an ecosystem of jewel & an excellent example of Mother Nature’s innate biodiversity of checks & balances.
Organic certified farmer & 11th generation wine maker, Luca Nesi cultivates the single estate vineyard & olive grove without using any fruit from 3rd parties. No genetically modified organisms, chemical fertilizers or synthetic insecticides are used.
They are replaced by dry farming with organic composts, vines & trees are treated with sulfur & copper in measured quantities per organic protocol.
healthy soil produces healthy fruit
We get asked “What makes our wines organic?” It starts with the soil.
Since 1997, our vineyard has been certified free of chemical fertilizers, synthetic insecticides or herbicides. It was organic certified after 16 consecutive seasons (4 years) with soil testing & verification before permission to plant any grapes.
In early spring, beet root, broad bean, clover, horse radish, lentil, mustard, rye grass & sweet pea seedlings are planted in between the rows of the vines. Mineral & nutrient rich, the cover crops grow between the vine rows to fortify & regulate the soil.
As they grow, they attract beneficial animals including bats, birds & spiders. The crops provide food (pollen & nectar) and shelter to the animals & insects who in turn feed off of predatory animals, insects, & mites. These species replace the need for chemical insecticides or synthetic pesticides.
In the fall the cover crops are cleared before harvest. They are dried out & used as compost with cow & sheep manure. Each vine or canopy is pruned individually. We also do dry framing, with irrigation only via rainfall.
A robust eco-system produces healthy fruit without leaving chemical or synthetic residue in the soil. Even though it is labor intensive, the bio-diversity contributes to the vineyard’s long-term sustainability & the environment’s well-being.
ICEA & MIPAAF CERTIFIED
In Italy, standards for certified organic food & wine products are regulated by ICEA (The Environmental and Ethical Certification Institute). The ICEA logo is a guarantee for all organic products. ICEA accreditation “from farm to fork” certification requires the traceability of raw materials to assure the product’s quality & consumer protection. ICEA organic wine certification requires extremely low sulphite limits; wines certified by ICEA are produced in cellars with a minimum threshold environmental impact.
We comply with ICEA and MIPAAF (Italian Ministry of Agriculture Food & Forestry) auditing inspections to ensure each of our practices meet the Italian National Organic Program standards. These tests and certifications are conducted annually during the growing season at pre and post production as well as during bottling to guarantee organic quality. Both entities for food and wine certification are compliant with European Union (EU) regulations and requirements as well as with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards.
