Ca' La Bionda is located in the commune of Marano di Valpolicella in the heart of the Classico zone of Valpolicella. Founded by Pietro Castellani in 1902, the estate is comprised of over 29 hectares of hillside vineyards at an altitude between 150 and 300 meters with east/southeast exposure. Today, Ca' La Bionda is in its fourth generation of family leadership with brothers Alessandro (winemaker) and Nicola (viticulturist) at the helm. The soils of the vineyards are calcareous, composed primarily of marine sediment, which help give the wines a welcome freshness and verve. Ca' La Bionda's Alessandro Castellani worked as a winemaker in the cellars at Chateau Margaux, Isole e Olena, and a "who's who" of top European estates before returning to oversee his family's small certified organic farm in Valpolicella. Perhaps it's no surprise, then, that these wines feel like Veneto's answer to Burgundian Pinot Noir. This blend of 70% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, and 10% Rondinella and Molinara is planted in very rocky clay limestone at 150-300m. It was fermented and aged in stainless. Dusty rocks, crushed cherry, is lit with a tart red currant acidity and licked with red liquorice on a bright, limestone laced palate. Tannins are fine and taut, keeping this energetic through the finish. Lovely freshness throughout.All grapes on their vineyards are grown organically — certified since 2016 — many on terraced vineyards, all of which are worked by hand.