Through their vegan, organic, and biodynamic approach, Querciabella creates wines that honour the harmony of nature
The sound of cicadas humming in the trees, crickets chirping in the grass and birds twittering as they flit about. Those are the sounds of a healthy ecosystem, and those are some of the sounds you’ll hear if you walk through the vineyards at Querciabella, in Tuscany, Italy.
This year marks their 50th harvest and in the spring, I attended a tasting in Toronto with Querciabella winemaker Manfred Ing. Following the tasting, I sat down for a video chat with him which you can watch below.
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There are many reasons why Querciabella are a top winery for me; of course I love the fact that they are certified vegan and organic, with a strong commitment to sustainability and the environment, but all of that wouldn’t matter if their wines weren’t remarkable.
Manfred’s winemaking philosophy is to allow the unique character of the wines to develop from the vines’ symbiotic relationship with their natural surroundings, viewing the vineyards as an “ecosystem of a complex network of biological diversity”. This is one of the fundamental principles of biodynamics and I like to suggest that Querciabella are ‘uber vegan’ in that they have redefined traditional biodynamics.
Querciabella is celebrting its 50th harvest.
Traditional biodynamics commonly has a few non-vegan practices, such as Preparation 500 wherein fresh cow manure is stuffed into cow horns and buried into the ground at the beginning of fall as a means of boosting soil fertility.
Querciabella uses extensive cover crops, green manure (consisting of plant-based, organic matter) and other plant-based compost to impart nutrients into the soil. With over three decades of organic farming, they view the soil as a living entity and work to preserve its balance without polluting it with agrochemicals, GMOs or any form of “artificial manipulation”.
The above practices also serve to protect the soil from erosion and dehydration with a goal to foster a habitat where the indigenous wildlife and microorganisms can thrive. Not only does this enrich the land but it imparts their wines with an acute sense of terroir.
The vineyards of Querciabella are an “ecosystem of a complex network of biological diversity”.
The team at Querciabella is inherently aware of the responsibility to contribute to a healthier planet for generations to come. At the Toronto tasting, Manfred spoke of how alive their vineyards are, how you can hear the buzzing of insects and see bees and other pollinators flying about in abundance and his passion is evident when you listen to him speak.
A remarkable winery celebrating a milestone vintage. You can taste their immense respect for the land that they caretake in every bottle. For those interested in tasting the terroir of Querciabella, here are some standout wines that I enjoyed:
Querciabella 2022 Mongrana
I tend to stick to wines in the $18-25 range but this is an incredible wine for the price and definitely worth it to turn any dinner into a celebration. A blend of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and merlot, this is a rich, dry wine that is full of deep, red berries and smooth tannins (33.95)
Querciabella 2021 Chianti Classico
Here is the grape that Querciabella is known for, and they do it oh-so-well. The aromas might bring to mind a good, sweet cigar with its smoke and spice. Rich and full-bodied with dark cherry notes and well-rounded tannins. ($44.95)
Querciabella 2021 Batàr
This wine is made from equal parts chardonnay and pinot bianco and is considered to be the original ‘white super Tuscan’. At the higher end of their portfolio, it was a joy to taste with its beautiful, golden colour and crisp, long finish. You’ll taste peach, subtle honey and almond notes. ($174.95)
