DESIGNED TO CAPTIVATE
The Andreola winery has made heroic viticulture its hallmark since 1984, located in one of the most representative areas of UNESCO-recognised Valdobbiadene DOCG – the highest quality classification of Italian sparkling wine in Veneto. Its production is powered by manual work in the vineyard, often requiring the use of a pulley system to transport the grapes due to the steep hills.
Based in Col San Martino, in the municipality of Farra di Soligo, the winery is the heartbeat of Nazzareno Pola, the father of Stefano Poloa, the current owner. In 1984, he founded the Andreola Orsola winery to produce wines with his own label from his mother’s land – and the family has worked unceasingly since then, with Stefano taking over between 2009/10.
Investments in new machinery and technologies help define the unique style that characterises the wine – distinctively creamy and intensely fruity, with elegant aromas, harmony and balance. Just over 15 years ago, the company’s image underwent a complete renewal, along with the bottle, with the name simplified to Andreola.
“We offer a product that is naturally on trend, thanks to its low alcohol level and reduced sugar content, while highlighting freshness and elegance,” said Stefano. “The result is a range of wines with remarkable personality, designed to captivate from the very first sip.
“Our heroic viticulture on the steep hills in the Valdobbiadene district reaches an inclination of up to 72%, making these vineyards really challenging to work. But the advantage is that at these altitudes, the grapes express more finesse, a richer and broader range of perfumes, and simply become more expressive and generous. Sommeliers are looking for indigenous grapes – and Italy has many.”
UK demand is important for Andreola, with 35% of its market exported.
“Between the UK and Italy there has always been a strong link and consumers are still keen on eating and drinking Italian. In the international panorama, our food products and wines continue to have a great price-quality ratio. I think that what most of us want right now is for the world to choose the path of peace and collaboration, rather than war and greed. Wines are often a means of making a dinner more relaxed, bringing people closer together – exactly what the world needs right now!”
Andreola works with Alvini Company Ltd, a well-established Italian produce specialist in the UK – helping the business tap into the trend for consumers to drink slightly less, with a preference for something more premium.
And with solar panels on the roof of the winery, and the health of the ecosystem, soil and vines more important than high yields or industrial efficiency, Andreola is certainly delivering.
STRONG IDENTITY
A gem, set amidst the rolling hills of Collio, Tenuta Stella lies on a piece of land that seems created for winegrowing. Sergio Stevanto founded a winery whose production is based almost exclusively on vines native to the Friuli region. Today, the company is run by Alberto Faggiani, an agrotechnician, and Erika Barbieri, an enologist and technical/marketing manager.
Quality and authenticity have guided production since its birth in 2009, closely linked to a sustainable approach without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilisers. There has also been investment in photovoltaic systems to increase energy independence and reduce the environmental footprint, while recycling all production waste and actively cutting the use of heavy metals.
“We resonate with a growing segment of UK consumers who are not simply drinking wine but actively seeking discovery,” said Erika. “They are looking beyond familiar labels, eager to explore small producers and indigenous varieties. We work with native grapes such as Ribolla Gialla, Friulano and Malvasia – expressing a strong identity, sense of place and distinctive character.
“There is a clear shift towards authenticity and diversity; something different from the international mainstream. Smaller, artisanal producers with a strong commitment to sustainability – consumers are not just interested in what’s in the glass but the story behind it.”
To convey this message in the UK, Tenuta Stella works with Pandemonium Wines, led by Luca Dusi and his team.
“For us, partnership is about shared vision,” continued Erika. “They understand how to communicate the identity of a small, quality-driven winery like ours and have a strong ability to position indigenous varieties in the right context.”
Of course, international markets remain essential for Italian wine but Erika is adamant that instead of adapting to short-term preferences, they guide consumers towards a deeper understanding of taste. “Our wines are often described as gastronomic – structured, complex and designed to evolve over time.
“Italy offers an extraordinary range of grapes and styles. The real challenge is not competition between producers but how effectively we can communicate this richness.”