CLOS VENTURI

Emmanuel Venturi

Located in the village of Ponte Leccia in the northern part of Corsica, Domaine Vico is mainly composed of vineyards planted in 1901 by Jean Vico. In 1987, the estate was purchased by the Acquaviva-Venturi family, who later created Clos Venturi in 2005 by separating the best plots (28ha) from the total 71ha of Domaine Vico. Nowadays, Domaine Vico and Clos Venturi are managed by Manu Venturi.

Clos venturi is located near the commune of Piedogriggio, vines are planted on a sandstone hill in the middle of a small and wild valley. This atypical geological zone is called “the central fault of Corsica,” a sandstone terroir dating back from the Miocene epoch. The vineyard ranges around 400 and 480 altitude meters. The 30 yo vineyard of Clos Venturi is planted on a unique terroir made of sandstone, basalt, granite, and blue slate. Most of the grapes are indigenous varieties that have mostly disappeared: Aletuco, Minustrellu, Moresconu, Carcaghjolu Neru, Biancu Gentile, Riminese and Genovese.

The love for Corsica history and its unique terroir has turned Manu Venturi towards organic farming, adding up also a bit of biodynamic recipes. To avoid soil compaction, vineyards are all ploughed by horses. Such hard work has been awarded in 2020 by Demeter certification.

Needless to say, that harvest is done by hand according to each stage of maturity, picking through four of five passes in order to preserve body freshness and strength. White wines are 100% Vermentinu made, grapes are de-stemmed and aged on fine lees in stainless-steel tanks for 9 months. The red wine of Clos Venturi is made with 50% Niellucciu , 40% Sciaccarellu and 10% Carcaghjolu Neru. Red grapes are partially de-stemmed and then naturally fermented with indigenous yeasts in 4000 litres of oak tanks. Wines are then aged 14 to 18 months in different kind of traditional vessels such as eggs, stainless steel tanks, barrique, foudre, and sandstone and clay amphoras. For both colours, no fining is done if needed, a light filtration might be done on whites.

The use of biodynamic methods combined with a unique terroir as well as indigenous grapes allows Clos Venturi to deliver stunning and unique wines with great complexity and freshness. Red wines have a deep colour with cherry and blackberry aromas, the velvety tannins creating a perfectly balanced wine. White wines are open knit, perfumed and fresh forward, showing notes of pineapple, pears and salty minerality.