Bòggina A 2020

Bòggina is the oldest vineyard on the Petrolo estate, and the source of Petrolo’s most prized Sangiovese vines. Planted in 1952 by the grandfather of proprietor Luca Sanjust, it spans 13 acres. It is planted to a density of 5,500 vinese per ha and is cordon spur trained. The yield per plant is notably restricted (max 2.5 lbs per vine plant), allowing a concentration of all the noble components of the grape, fundamental for the full-bodied character of this wine.

Grapes are hand-harvested and then further selected on a sorting table. The wine undergoes a two-week open-air fermentation with indigenous yeasts in two terracotta amphorae of 300 and 500 liters. The amphorae are then hermetically sealed, and the wine is left on its skins for eight months. After this eight month period, the skins are removed, and aging continues in amphorae for another five months. The natural porosity of the terracotta allows for a slow ingress of oxygen into the wine, avoiding excess reduction. No sulfites are added during this process, as the extended contact of the wine with the skins establishes a natural level of protection against oxidation.

After a rather mild winter, the initially warm spring brought abundant rains in May and rather cold temperatures for the period. At the beginning of summer, with the heat wave of the first half of June, the development of the vines was realigned to its usual course. The few storms in July were not of real concern and temperatures below average allowed a balanced growth. The grapes in August where washed by some rains but the hot temperatures allowed a very good ripening.
The harvest began with Merlot in the first week of September. The Sangiovese was harvested from the third week of September, in the same period as the Trebbiano. The Cabernet Sauvignon of Campo Lusso was, as usual, the last grape harvested during the first days of October.