Piovene Porto Godi Winery

The PIOVENE PORTO GODI ALESSANDRO s.s. farm, headed by Marcantonio and Tommaso Piovene Porto Godi, is located in Toara di Villaga (VI), in the Colli Berici region, famous for her DOC wines. The ancient name of Toara, an historical and characteristic village of the Vicenza Province, Thovara  means “good land”. This place has been famous for his wine production since 1500. The village of Toara hosts both the vineyards and the villa of the Piovene Porto Godi family, a patrician family that descends directly from Count Barbaran.

The wine production has always been an important part of the history of the property, that is extended in a 220 hectares area (the main cultures are cereals, olive trees and a grove). The vineyards cover 28 hectares and are located in a wonderful position, a natural amphitheatre in the southern part of the Colli Berici DOC region.

The vineyards extend from the bottom of the hill until his top (250 meters above sea level). In the past most of the production was sold, unbottled, to the local market whose demand claim was directed to light and drinkable wines. From 1990, the owners decided to produce and bottle the best wines, in order to compete and sell to a larger market, national and international, and to demonstrate the potential of this area. In this perspective more than 75% of the vineyards were replanted following modern techniques: the rows are now more contiguous than they used to be and the yield from each vineyard is lower than it was in the past and is obtained with thick plants (nearly 6500 stumps ha) that use a short pruning. All the process is performed with the maximum respect of the natural environment.

In the ‘90s the cellar was renewed as well, with the introduction of modern techniques, to produce wines of the best quality, to honour the tradition and the history of the production. The different types of grapes that are cultivated in the area are the Tocai Rosso, a typical and local vineyard of the Colli Berici area, the Cabernet franc and Cabernet sauvignon, the Merlot (red grapes), the Sauvignon, the White Pinot and the Garganega (white grapes).

The most important and characteristic white wine is the “Campige”, a sauvignon that comes from a late harvest and is passed in barrels for six months; the “Campige” is a peculiar and structured wine. The late harvest gives this wine a fruity smell and deprives the typical vegetal sauvignon smell.

The Cabernet comes in two different varieties, the “Polveriera” that is a mix of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, the “Pozzare”, a blend of Cabernet franc and Cabernet sauvignon that is passed in French oak barrels for more than one year. The Merlot “Fra i Broli” is obtained from three different clones and is aged in karats for 15 months. The Tai Rosso is the most particular wine of this area and of the farm. The grapes, the same kind of the French Grenache and of the Spanish “Garnaccia”, were imported in the region by the “Canonics” (“Canonici”) Barbarano that were in contact with the bishops of Avignon.

The farm produces two different kinds of Tai Rosso: the “Riveselle”, a light wine with a floreal and cherry smell that goes perfectly with a stockfish plate cooked “Vicenza style” and the Thovara. This second wine, which has been produced since the year 2000, comes from a late harvest and is processed in open tonneaux and then put in allier barriques for one year. The result is an elegant and strong wine that mixes freshness and alcoholic potential.

The village of Toara
Toara is a characteristic Italian rural village, situated in the Colli Berici region near the town of Vicenza. In the surroundings there is the possibility to go hiking or to ride the bike, enjoying the wonderful panorama of these hills and their fauna and flora. The famous Palladian villas are reachable after a short car ride. It is also easy to visit the beautiful cities of Padova (32 km), Verona (50 km), Montagnana (25 km), Este (28 km).

The bed and breakfast
Near the Villa, the Piovene family restored two little houses to host visitors: “the Mill” and “the Colombara”. In the Mill there is a spacious living room at the first floor, a kitchen and a bathroom; at the second floor there are two bedrooms and another bathroom. The Colombara has a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom at the first floor, a large living room a double bedroom and another bathroom at the second floor.

Visits
At the winery, it is possible to organize visits and tastings, both in Italian and in English. For additional information and to book your visit please contact Alessandra Piovene: [email protected]