Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso (2013)

About this wine

This is Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso from Moletto, made in the Veneto Orientale area from the single grape Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, a native northeastern Italian variety known for deep color and high acidity. The nose shows ripe red fruits such as cherry and blackberry with faint balsamic and herbal hints, and a touch of iron like crushed stone. On the palate the wine is medium to full bodied, with firm but well defined tannins and fresh acidity that lift the fruit, while an underlying sapid minerality keeps the finish focused. The producer extended maturation in stainless steel for over a year before bottling, which preserves clarity of fruit and a direct structural profile. This 2013 release received regional recognition and reviews noting its vivid ruby color and tannic structure, reflecting Moletto’s careful vineyard mapping and traditional handling of this local variety.

About the grape

Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso is an ancient northeastern Italian variety valued for its sturdy tannins and bright acidity, its name referring to the distinctive red stalk that helps identify the vine. At Moletto this grape is matched to specific soils mapped in 1995, with parcels around Motta di Livenza showing sandier river influenced earth and plots in Belfiore di Pramaggiore on heavier argillaceous and calcareous Caranto rich layers, which the winery manages with natural grassing to control vigor. The estate uses strict pruning and low yields to concentrate the variety s character and typically vinifies and matures this bottling mainly in stainless steel to preserve varietal freshness, reflecting local clonal material and long standing regional practices. This approach ties the traditional origins of Refosco in Veneto and Friuli to modern vineyard mapping and site specific cultivation at Moletto.

Quick facts

• 🏆 Moletto's Refosco 2013 received four grappoli from Bibenda, marking it as one of the producer's standout vintages.
• 🛢️ Unlike many modern reds, Moletto ages this Refosco primarily in stainless steel for about 14 months, preserving lively fruit and sapid tension.
• 🗺️ The producer mapped every single vine parcel back in 1995, so each bottle can be traced to specific rows of vines in the Veneto Orientale vineyards.
• 🌺 The grape name Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso means red stem, because the vine shows vividly red peduncles that help identify the variety in the field.
• 🌳 Genetic studies show Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso is a parent of the Marzemino family, so a sip connects you to an unexpected branch of Italian grape family history.

Palate profile

Producer

Moletto Winery, established in 1960 by Mario Stival in Motta di Livenza, Italy, is situated on land once covered by the historic Moletto Forest, a significant area during the Venetian Republic era. Recognizing the land's viticultural potential, Stival transformed the terrain into a flourishing vineyard, blending traditional methods with modern enological technologies. The winery remains a family-run enterprise, with Mario's wife, Annamaria, and their children, Mauro, Giovanni, and Chiara, actively involved in its operations. Moletto's vineyards span approximately 90 hectares, producing a diverse range of wines that reflect the rich heritage and unique terroir of the Veneto region.