GG_N52_FR

ITALY
APPELLATION
to gain a foothold, while Japan remains a key market
thanks to increased knowledge and pairings with
local cuisine.
FRANCESCO TESSARI IS SUPPORTED BY HIS FAMILY AND IN PARTICULAR
BY HIS FATHER VALENTINO AND HIS UNCLE GIUSEPPE, WHO ARE PIVOTAL
TO WORK IN THE VINEYARD
I STEFANINI
THE CELLAR AT I STEFANINI WAS FOUNDED AS RECENTLY AS 2003 AND IS LOCATED IN
MONTEFORTE D’ALPONE
A historic grape-growing family that became a wine
producer, at the behest of oenologist Francesco
Tessari (who was 20 years old at the time) in 2003,
thanks to the family vineyards in Monteforte
d’Alpone/Roncà. In the beginning, little was bottled,
and most was sold in bulk. It was only after the crisis
of 2008, when bulk sales began to collapse, that
Francesco realised the importance of having his own
brand and sales structure.
To date, I Stefanini owns 18 hectares of vineyards: 3
hectares in the classic zone - behind the winery - and
15 hectares in the Soave Doc zone between Roncà and
Peraro. In these 15 hectares, Garganega is the primary
variety grown, but there is also some Durella, Chardonnay
and Pinot Grigio. Production is currently
around 120-130,000 bottles per year.
The nickname ‘I stefanini’ dates back many years.
The Tessari surname is widespread not only in the
Val d’Alpone but also among Soave producers themselves.
One of Francesco’s ancestors was a certain
Stefano, a small man who was called Stefanino in
the village because of his small stature. Over time,
the whole family acquired the nickname Stefanini,
hence the name of the winery.
For 20 years now, Francesco has been supported
in his work in the vineyard and cellar by his entire
family: Dad Valentino, the agronomist; Mum
Stefania, in charge of tastings; Uncle Giuseppe, who
works in the vineyard, assisting Francesco and Valentino;
Aunts Valeria, Maria Grazie and Luisa, who help
with the grape harvest and during bottling; and wife
Maristella, the sales manager for Italy.
They produce 3 Soave wines: Soave Doc ‘Il Selese’;
Soave Doc Classico ‘Monte de Toni’; and Soave Superiore
Docg Classico ‘Monte di Fice’. The ‘Il Selese’
label (100% Garganega - 100,000 bottles) comes from
vineyards (1987) in the foothills with silty-clayey soils.
‘Monte de Toni’ (100% Garganega - 12,000 bottles) is
produced from 2 hectares of red volcanic soil, rich in
66 SUMMER 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE