Versante, Mountain Wines - Marika Giusti & Luca Baroni

The Versante project was born in 2022 from an idea by Marika Giusti and Luca Baroni. Drawing on the agricultural heritage of their families and the local area, the two young winemakers cultivate various grape varieties on the slopes of the Modena Apennines, at 700 meters above sea level: the Scoltenna Valley and the Dragone Valley, part of a Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO's "Man and Biosphere" program.

The old vineyards are flanked by new, recently established vineyards, planted with international varietals and, above all, native varieties such as Uva Tosca, Malbo Gentile, and Spergola. The small production, which covers approximately 3 hectares in total, is vinified in the winery's own cellar in Lago, Montefiorino (MO). The winemaking process is carried out as naturally as possible, seeking to enhance the character of the grapes and the terroir, taking advantage of spontaneous fermentations, minimizing the use of sulfites or eliminating them entirely when possible, without any filtration or clarification, and without the use of any additives. Versante was founded with the intention of joining forces, to represent the winemaking expression of a region—the Modena Apennines—historically suited to grape cultivation. Versante's goal is to protect native grape varieties and historic vineyards, scattered across small, now mostly abandoned plots, by practicing responsible viticulture that adheres to organic standards. Organic certification guarantees respect for the soil, which is annually aerated and enriched with green manure, the use of only sulfur and copper for the few top dressing treatments performed each year, and the elimination of all synthetic chemicals. The natural environment, still free from unrestrained human activity and soil pollution, is a source of inestimable value that makes the often inconvenient and laborious choice of making wine in the mountains essential.