[Cellar Talks] S05E06 Costaripa – Nicole Vezzola

On Friday the 13th of May we are travelling to Italy for the season finale of season 5, episode 5. This time Nicole Vezzola from Costaripa, is our guest. Costaripa is one of Italy’s top producers of rosé wines, located in the Valtènesi DOC along lake Garda.

About the Winery

Since 1936 the Vezzola family are interpreters of their land, the breezes and nuances of Lake Garda. This family lives and breathes rosé wine. 4 generations of Vezzolas redefined the identity and spirit of one of the most profound rosé wines in Italy. Divided by Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino, Lake Garda is known to be the biggest natural lake in Italy.

Valtènes is characterised by light soils of glacial origin, unique in terms of biodiversity – 67 different types altogether that give the wines that are being made there full flavor, harmony and aromatic complexity. The mediterranean climate here is a blessing for the vineyards. With 20 km of coastline exposed to the rising sun and facing 370 square kilometers of water, the winter temperature of water which never drops below 7°C. A land blessed by 3,000 hours of sunshine a year with refreshing morning and evening breezes which maintain a balance of natural elements.

Matti Vezzola, who is voted 5 times as “Best Italian Winemaker” is at the helm of the family company. With his experience, passion and philosophy he has reinterpreted the sensory profile of Valtènesi Rosé wines, making it unique and contemporary.

About Nicole Vezzola

Nicole is the daughter of winemaker and owner Matti Vezzola. She represents the company in domestic and international markets. Having lived on 3 continents, and in 8 cities, she formed herself by studying marketing and communications in London and Paris. Initially she pursued a career in fashion, but later she followed her family in the wine business.

Her first professional experience outside the family winery was at the well known Champagne brand Philipponnat, after this she took the decision to go back to working fulltime for the family winery. Here she has been working now for 6 years, in the business department of Costaripa.

About the Tasting

During the show we will be drinking one of Costaripa’s star rosé wines: RosaMara. This estate wine expresses the unique location of the vineyards and style of winemaking at Costaripa. The wine itself is named after two marvellous women, representing simplicity and paying tribute to the history of the family and estate.

RosaMara is a rosé blend made from no less than 4 Italian grape varieties (of which the first two are regional): Gropello, Marzemino, Sangiovese and Barbera. In the cellar Costaripa uses a special and traditional technique, the tear drop method, to create this wine. Additionally part of the wine is aged on oak.

This rosé wine is imported in the Netherlands by Vinites, and available at associated retailers and restaurants. Click here for more information (in Dutch).

We are looking forward to talking to Nicole and learning from her background, experiences and the winery. Be sure to tune in on Instagram Live through our Dutch Wine Apprentice account on Friday the 13th of May, 19:30h CET.

Click here for instructions on how to follow a live show on Instagram Live. If you have questions for our guest you are welcome to prepare them and e-mail them to us or send them as a direct message on our Instagram account.

You can find a link to the recording of the show here.