Cascina Degli Ulivi "Le Mat du Raisin U Guiao" Rosso 2022

Press 4 Red • February/March 2026 Direct Press Selection

Stefano Bellotti embraced Biodynamics as far back as 1984, and he was a huge figure in the push for natural wine and better farming in Europe. Cascina degli Ulivi is still a lush, mixed farm with livestock, cereals, beehives, pastures, and of course grapevines, and the wines and the farm are safely in the hands of Stefano's daugher Ilaria. The agriturismo attached to the farm is a beautiful place that is not to miss if you're in the area, only an hour and a half from both Milan and Torino.

"Le Mat du Raisin U Guaio" was originally made in 2017 because of the trouble — or 'guaio,' in local dialect — that the vintage gave. Dolcetto that usually ended up in the  Nîbio bottling and Barbera from the Mounbe bottling ended up in this new cuvée that now is made every vintage, trouble or not. It ends up being a great snapshot of the vintage and of the Ulivi approach. The 2022 is, true to the hot vintage, quite ripe and big. However, it's big personality is not just fruit and alcohol (14.5% abv) but barnyard funk and an irreverent mischievous attitude. Black cherry, sage, wet earth and squid ink notes are complemented by tangy acids, spicy energy, and puckery tannins. Pair with braised meat, hearty pasta dishes, or roast chicken. Will age for 3-5 years easily. Fermented in open top wood vats with 20% whole cluster, aged in large old barrel. Zero sulfur added. Jonathan Kemp