Le Colture

Among the beautiful hills of Valdobbiadene, precisely in the locality of Santo Stefano, stands the sparkling wine estate Le Colture, specialized in the production of fine Prosecco. The estate has been managed for more than 500 years by the Ruggeri family, but it was in 1983 that Cesare started the sparkling wine business. He has passed on the know-how and production secrets to his children Silvia, Alberto and Veronica, who for their part have brought a breath of youthful enthusiasm and an innovative spirit, always respecting the established tradition of the area. This close-knit family team is involved in all aspects of the production process, from the vineyard to the final marketing, with each member dedicated to managing a specific phase.

The Le Colture estate has more than 40 hectares of its own vineyards, spread over 16 different plots in the Valdobbiadene and Conegliano area and in the Montello area. This viticultural micro-parcelization allows the winery to enhance the different pedoclimatic attributes of each subzone, having grapes with heterogeneous characteristics. The area planted with vines is devoted almost exclusively to Glera, Prosecco's symbolic grape variety, alongside which Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc for the production of the only red wine and Pinot Noir destined for Prosecco Rosé. These varieties are raised while taking care of the environment, limiting and optimizing the use of phytosanitary treatments thanks to the principles of integrated pest management. The sparkling wines are then processed according to the Charmat or Martinotti Method technique, which involves taking the foam in an autoclave so as to enhance the pleasant aromaticity of Glera.

There are several Proseccos offered by the Le Colture winery: they range from Cartizze, produced in one of the most prestigious and coveted subzones of the denomination, to Rosé, one of the latest novelties introduced by the Consortium. A special mention goes to the Rive di Santo Stefano Extra Brut 'Gerardo', a label made with grapes from the oldest vineyards and dedicated to grandfather Gerardo Ruggeri, who passionately cared for his "rive", vineyards located on the steepest soils.