Marziano Vevey’s 7,000 square meters of Prié Blanc vineyards are scattered about the slopes of the mountains around Morgex, a small village nestled into a valley at the base of Mont Blanc, at the northwestern edges of Italy, the location of a tiny, but enchanting winemaking appellation. Some vines easy to access, on somewhat flat terrain, while others line terraces clinging tenaciously to the steep slopes that make the work of vine-growers extremely arduous. The vineyards of Morgex are peculiar, planted in the ancient and traditional pergola style. The only vineyards in all of Europe that exist at the astoundingly high altitude of 1200 meters above sea level, the vines are planted low to the ground, hovering on their horizontal trellises in order to soak up the protective heat of the soil, allowing them to survive the rigors of the long winters at such heights.
In 1981, Marziano inherited 2,000 square meters of vines but with great reluctance. His father, Marcello, had tended his vineyards passionately, producing just enough wine to share with friends. At his premature passing, Marziano couldn’t bear to part with his inheritance given its spiritual connection to his beloved father, and so, with great determination, accepted the challenge to pick up where his father had left off. With his wife Judith at his side, he began his adventure as “the accidental winemaker.” Fueled by the tenacity typical of mountain people and taking advantage of every second of his free time (both he and his wife had demanding day jobs), he dedicated himself to the vineyards, gradually expanding them and growing production from 600 bottles per year to the current 5,000 bottles, with the further goal to grow to 12,000, still a tiny quantity in the world of winemaking.
Producing such a wine is never an inexpensive endeavor, given the tiny quantities and lack of mechanical assistance. Nonetheless, this may be one of the best values in the category. We are getting just 56 cases of this vintage, with expectations that Vevey can expand production over the next few years.
