Pinot Grigio, Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Castel Pietra 2023

Mezzacorona is an exceptionally well-run and well-equipped co-operative of some 1500 growers, with 2,600 hectares of Trentino vines, 70% of which are DOCG.

Based at the foot of the Italian Dolomites, which tower protectively over the vineyards, the vines run on trellises as far as Lake Garda, and the many surrounding lakes and rivers provide fresh, cleansing breezes. The variety of climates means that Mezzacorona can choose optimum sites for the many different grape varieties they grow.

History
The first cooperative - Cantina Sociale di Mezzocorona – was originally established with 13 members in 1904. Two further cooperatives were founded in the region, respectively in 1911 and 1922. Two of these merged in 1970, with the third joining in 1988 to create the current entity, Cantine Mezzocorona.

The wines
Mezzacorona produce a range of characterful, single-varietal wines including pinot grigio, and international varieties like chardonnay and merlot. They also make exemplary Teroldego and Marzemino. They also use their excellent facilities to bottle wine from Feudo Arancio in south-west Sicily.

Environmental sustainability
In its vineyards, the cooperative strives to reduce the use of chemical inputs by, for example, using integrated pest management approaches to reduce the need for pesticides, and by composting cuttings to use as fertiliser and improve soil health. There is also a focus on improving biodiversity, with steps including maintenance of dry walls to offer shelter to floral and animal species, and careful selection of plant-protection products in order to safeguard pollinators.

The focus on environmental sustainability is continued in the wineries, where the cooperative uses natural and energy-efficient lighting to reduce energy use. They have also installed solar panels to provide electricity, while the remainder of their power needs are purchased from renewable sources.

Social sustainability
The cooperative’s commitment to the environment is also repeated in its attitude to social sustainability. The focus on using human labour rather than mechanisation in the vineyard, for example, means that the cooperative provides jobs to local people. At harvest time, around 3,000 additional staff are hired. Most of these are from local areas, thereby avoiding some of the challenges of migrant workers other growers have faced.