RAREFRATTE - Breganze, Veneto

At the foothills of the Asiago plateau, in the hills of Breganze, in the province of Vicenza, lies Rarefratte, a small family-run estate owned and operated by Cristian Moresco. The surrounding landscape is characterized by volcanic ridges and sedimentary rock formations, with predominantly clay-rich soils. Situated at around 220 metres above sea level, the vineyards benefit from a distinctive microclimate shaped by the meeting of warm and cold air currents, creating conditions that bring both complexity and unpredictability to the growing season.

Born and raised among his family's vineyards, Cristian grew up with viticulture deeply rooted in his family history. His grandfathers were both involved in the local wine trade, one as a grower and the other as a grape producer. After studying agriculture and later sociology, Cristian returned to his family's land in 2012, taking over the vineyards and establishing Rarefratte. From the beginning, his ambition was not simply to make wine, but to preserve a viticultural heritage that was gradually disappearing.

The heart of the project is the recovery of ancient indigenous varieties from the Breganze area, some of which were on the brink of extinction. Through years of research, conversations with local farmers and massal selection, Cristian began propagating six historic varieties: Gruaja, Ottocai, Pedevenda, Sciampagna, Groppella and Vespaiola. While the new vineyards were taking shape, he carried out small-scale vinifications of each variety to better understand their individual characteristics and potential.

Today, Rarefratte farms its vineyards organically, working without synthetic chemicals and harvesting by hand. In the cellar, Cristian follows the same philosophy, relying on spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts, ageing primarily in concrete, and avoiding clarification and filtration. Sulphites are used sparingly, only when necessary. His approach is deliberately restrained, allowing the grapes and the character of these often-overlooked varieties to speak for themselves.

More than anything, Rarefratte is a project about biodiversity and the preservation of local identity. Through Cristian's work, these forgotten grapes are finding their way back into the vineyards and, ultimately, into the bottle.

LORENZO NEGRO - Monteu Roero, Piemonte

On the northern bank of the Tanaro river, in the hills of Monteu Roero, lies the estate of Lorenzo Negro, in the small hamlet of Sant’Anna. The vineyards sit atop the Serra Lupini hill, at approximately 300 metres above sea level, surrounding the winery in a single, continuous parcel. The soils are characteristic of the Roero, composed of sand, silt and clay, with an abundance of marine fossils that bear witness to the area's ancient geological history. These sandy, marine-origin soils are particularly well suited to Arneis and Nebbiolo, lending the wines a distinctive combination of freshness, minerality and structure.

Although the Negro family has been involved in wine for generations, Lorenzo established his own winery and bottled its first vintage in 2006. Working with a strong connection to the territory, he has gradually developed an estate of eight hectares, with Arneis and Nebbiolo forming the backbone of production, alongside Barbera and Dolcetto. His work, now a benchmark for the region, has been helped by the youthful vision and talent of Alessandro Bovio, and later Manuele Priolo, both of whom have contributed to shaping the wines before developing their own projects.

Lorenzo's approach is rooted in a straightforward belief that the Roero deserves to be understood on its own terms, rather than constantly measured against its more celebrated neighbor, the Langhe. While Nebbiolo is often associated with the powerful, structured expressions of Barolo and Barbaresco, the sandy soils of the Roero produce a different interpretation: more aromatic and approachable in their youth, yet capable of considerable depth and longevity. The same attention is given to Arneis, the area's historic white grape, which Lorenzo explores through both still wines and quite unique traditional-method sparkling wines.

In the cellar, the approach varies according to the character of each wine. Fermentations take place primarily in stainless steel, while selected bottlings undergo ageing in old French oak barriques and larger casks. Particular attention is given to extended affinamento, both in the cellar and in bottle, allowing the wines to develop complexity without losing their connection to the fruit and the underlying vineyard character.

The estate's portfolio ranges from straightforward expressions of Arneis, Barbera and Dolcetto to more ambitious single-vineyard selections, including Roero Prachiosso and Roero Riserva San Francesco. Arneis takes centre stage in the Riserva Sant’Anna as well as in Lorenzo's traditional-method sparkling wines, most notably the Riserva Dieci Anni, which spends ten years on its lees before release.