Rinaldo Fedrigo
Getting Form
The work in the countryside is for Fedrigo’s family a tradition.
Rinaldo Fedrigo tells us in his country house on the hills of Castelrotto, where you have the view of much of the territory of Valpolicella classica. A place where the vine has been protagonist for centuries and where the love for the cultivation of this plant is part of the daily life of the people living here.
"It was my father Antonio to give life to the vine growing on the hills of Castelrotto, where we are today. When he was 18 his father died and with his mother and sister he moved here, where he began to cultivate vines and wheat. Before giving the grapes to Farina, we used to produce the in our small cellar, so both me and my brothers, Marco, Pierina and Mario, have always worked in the countryside. The fermentation of the wine was made in a porch that we had made and then it was transferred to the cellar. My male brothers and I learned the job going in the fields with our father. It was a task that we used to do in our free time, because everyone did and does a different main job. The rural work is for us a family tradition."
Rinaldo Fedrigo tells us in his country house on the hills of Castelrotto, where you have the view of much of the territory of Valpolicella classica. A place where the vine has been protagonist for centuries and where the love for the cultivation of this plant is part of the daily life of the people living here.
"It was my father Antonio to give life to the vine growing on the hills of Castelrotto, where we are today. When he was 18 his father died and with his mother and sister he moved here, where he began to cultivate vines and wheat. Before giving the grapes to Farina, we used to produce the in our small cellar, so both me and my brothers, Marco, Pierina and Mario, have always worked in the countryside. The fermentation of the wine was made in a porch that we had made and then it was transferred to the cellar. My male brothers and I learned the job going in the fields with our father. It was a task that we used to do in our free time, because everyone did and does a different main job. The rural work is for us a family tradition."
Interview with Rinaldo Fedrigo
Why did you choose Farina?
The relationship with Farina lasts for many years now. My father was a great friend of Claudio and Elena’s grandfather, who already produced wine. From this friendship, twenty years ago, began the collaboration as suppliers of grapes.
What is the earliest memory of the countryside you have?
Honestly it is a little “unpleasant”. Years ago, when you had to do the treatments with chemicals by hand, there was still the pump and it was up to me to use it more, as elder brother. It was a hard work for me, and I hated that job! Today, fortunately, everything changed, even my love for the countryside.
What is the biggest lesson that you have received from your father?
He taught us everything. I still remember how my father carefully placed the bunches of grapes after they had been cut from the plant. He brought the grapes into the barn with the pulley and used to put it down gently in a particular way. When there was any place available, the bunches were hung with a string. It was a spectacular sight ...
Who takes care of the vineyard today?
Marco, my younger brother, manages the vineyard and takes care of the countryside, although it is not his main job. At least a couple of hours per day, after he finishes working, he goes to dirty his shoes in the vineyard. It's a real passion for him.
How do you work your vines?
We are very caring to nature, that’s why we avoid pesticides. I think we were the first to adopt this technique in Valpolicella, we minimize the use of plant protection products and to fight the moth, we use the technique of mating disruption.
From one of your vineyards came the name of Amarone "Montefante" ...
15 years ago Farina asked us for an advice on the name to be given to the Amarone that was born from our grapes. We remembered that my aunt had always called Montefante the area where our vineyards were, in Castelrotto. So that name has become a symbol of Farina Amarone. It’s such a pride to see an Amarone with this name!
How would you define your family?
I'm more superficial and impatient than my brother Marco, but we are all lovers of viticulture and nature in general.
How was the last harvest in 2015?
It was a good harvest in quality and quantity. We are the ones to harvest, because we want to keep the tradition and do it in a certain way, as our father taught us. He taught us to pick the grapes fully mature and with no green berry, and then lay it carefully in the cases, giving due respect to nature.
Your motto?
I borrow a phrase from the sports world, for I am a fan of tamburello, like my brother Mario, a former player and coach like me. "The important thing is to participate", but I also add "Remember that when we win, we feel much better!” And with Farina and Montefante we definitely won.
If you were to send a message to Farina, what would you say?
First of all I’d thank them, because with them it is like being in a big family.
Honestly it is a little “unpleasant”. Years ago, when you had to do the treatments with chemicals by hand, there was still the pump and it was up to me to use it more, as elder brother. It was a hard work for me, and I hated that job! Today, fortunately, everything changed, even my love for the countryside.
What is the biggest lesson that you have received from your father?
He taught us everything. I still remember how my father carefully placed the bunches of grapes after they had been cut from the plant. He brought the grapes into the barn with the pulley and used to put it down gently in a particular way. When there was any place available, the bunches were hung with a string. It was a spectacular sight ...
Who takes care of the vineyard today?
Marco, my younger brother, manages the vineyard and takes care of the countryside, although it is not his main job. At least a couple of hours per day, after he finishes working, he goes to dirty his shoes in the vineyard. It's a real passion for him.
How do you work your vines?
We are very caring to nature, that’s why we avoid pesticides. I think we were the first to adopt this technique in Valpolicella, we minimize the use of plant protection products and to fight the moth, we use the technique of mating disruption.
From one of your vineyards came the name of Amarone "Montefante" ...
15 years ago Farina asked us for an advice on the name to be given to the Amarone that was born from our grapes. We remembered that my aunt had always called Montefante the area where our vineyards were, in Castelrotto. So that name has become a symbol of Farina Amarone. It’s such a pride to see an Amarone with this name!
How would you define your family?
I'm more superficial and impatient than my brother Marco, but we are all lovers of viticulture and nature in general.
How was the last harvest in 2015?
It was a good harvest in quality and quantity. We are the ones to harvest, because we want to keep the tradition and do it in a certain way, as our father taught us. He taught us to pick the grapes fully mature and with no green berry, and then lay it carefully in the cases, giving due respect to nature.
Your motto?
I borrow a phrase from the sports world, for I am a fan of tamburello, like my brother Mario, a former player and coach like me. "The important thing is to participate", but I also add "Remember that when we win, we feel much better!” And with Farina and Montefante we definitely won.
If you were to send a message to Farina, what would you say?
First of all I’d thank them, because with them it is like being in a big family.
- - Interview with Rinaldo Fedrigo