"We say no to chemicals and grow our vines and olive trees according to the principles of organic viticulture with every agricultural practice being an expression of our deep respect for nature and harmony with our ecosystem. That’s why we started beekeeping with enthusiasm. Our happy bees prove that protecting biodiversity is possible and a duty we take on with pleasure." - Laura Rizzotto.

The quote perfectly sums up Laura’s project. She is the latest custodian of a precious patchwork of organically farmed vineyards, olive groves and beehives in the heart of Soave. These culminate with an important holding in the tiny cru of Sengialta (‘Sengio’ in local dialect refers to basalt rock). Soils are dark and volcanic, vineyard exposures are southern and at altitudes ranging from 180 - 300m. Laura and her partner Federico concentrate on low yields from Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave, with winemaking inspired by a respect for their precious terroir and heritage. This place gives the peak expression of native grape Garganega. Laura makes some wonderfully contrasting wines: from ‘Libertate’, which is terracotta amphora raised Trebbiano di Soave, to ‘Vigneto Sengialta’, a cru bottling of old vine Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave aged on lees in 20 hectolitre ‘botti’. Balestri Valda’s wines are alive, textured and pure.