Pieropan
Summary
Pieropan is a fourth-generation family estate in Veneto's Soave Classico zone, cultivating 46 hectares of predominantly Garganega vineyards across distinctive volcanic and limestone terroirs, with their flagship wines coming from the historic Calvarino and La Rocca single vineyards. Their winemaking philosophy balances traditional methods like pergola training and cement tank fermentation with careful innovation, maintaining an unwavering focus on expressing Soave's classical character while operating from their gravity-flow facility built in 2015.
Heritage & Leadership
Pieropan was established in 1880 when Leonildo Pieropan purchased a historic palazzo in the medieval village of Soave in Veneto, Italy. The winery has remained family-owned and operated through four generations, with each contributing to its development and reputation. Leonildo Pieropan II, who passed away in 2018, was instrumental in elevating the quality and recognition of Soave wines, introducing single-vineyard bottlings in the 1970s when this practice was virtually unknown in the region.
Today, the winery is directed by Leonildo's sons, Andrea and Dario Pieropan, who continue their father's meticulous approach while introducing their own innovations. Andrea oversees the viticultural aspects of the business, while Dario manages the winemaking operations. The family's commitment to quality was recognized in 2018 when Pieropan received the "Winery of the Year" award from Gambero Rosso, one of Italy's most prestigious wine publications.
Vineyards & Wines
Pieropan owns 46 hectares of vineyards in the Soave Classico zone, the historic heart of the Soave appellation. Their holdings include two prized single vineyards: Calvarino, acquired in 1901, and La Rocca, purchased in 1978. Calvarino sits at 250 meters above sea level on volcanic basalt soils with limestone components, planted primarily to Garganega (70%) and Trebbiano di Soave (30%). La Rocca, positioned at 300 meters elevation on the Monte Rocchetta hill, features limestone-rich clay soils and is planted exclusively to Garganega.
The estate produces several distinctive wines, with their Soave Classico serving as the foundation of their portfolio. Their single-vineyard expressions—Calvarino and La Rocca—showcase the diversity of Soave's terroir. Beyond white wines, Pieropan cultivates red varieties in the Valpolicella region, producing Amarone and Valpolicella Superiore under the Ruberpan label. In 2015, the family expanded their holdings by acquiring 16 hectares in the Val d'Illasi, where they grow indigenous varieties at elevations between 300-450 meters.
Philosophy & Practice
Pieropan's viticultural approach centers on organic farming methods, with official certification received in 2011. The family employs pergola training systems for older vineyards, which provide protection against sunburn in hot vintages, while newer plantings utilize Guyot training to optimize ripening and vineyard management.
In the cellar, Pieropan combines traditional techniques with modern precision. Their Soave Classico ferments in glass-lined cement tanks to preserve freshness, while single-vineyard wines receive extended lees contact to build complexity and texture. La Rocca undergoes fermentation and aging in large oak casks, a practice that enhances the wine's structural elements without imparting overt oak flavors.
The family completed construction of a new production facility in 2015, designed to maximize energy efficiency while providing optimal conditions for vinification and aging. This facility includes gravity-flow systems to minimize mechanical intervention with the grapes and wines. Throughout their practices, the Pieropan family maintains a philosophy of minimal intervention, allowing their distinctive terroirs to express themselves fully in the finished wines.