Ventiventi: Redefining Modena Sparkling with Organic Precision

A New Chapter for Modenese Terroir

Forget everything you think you know about Lambrusco. Far from the clunky, mass-produced bottles of the past, a quiet revolution is bubbling in the heart of Modena. Ventiventi, a family-run winery in the heart of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, is at the forefront of the modern shift in Italian sparkling wine.

The move to organic farming, reduced chemical use, soil‑health management, and climate‑adaptation strategies is a reaction to climate change, new regulations, and consumer expectations. Using these principles, Ventiventi is elevating the humble Lambrusco from a casual table companion to a sophisticated, world-class sparkler worthy of your finest stemware.Honoring Tradition Through Indigenous Grapes

Releasing its first wines in 2020, Ventiventi is located in the precinct of Modena, an area better known for artisan olive oil and fast cars. The winery produces 66,000 bottles annually across the Metodo Classico, Charmat, and still wine categories.

Indigenous varieties such as Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Ancellotta and Pignoletto form the backbone of the estate’s identity, reflecting the history and character of the Modenese territory. Alongside them, international varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Traminer contribute to a broader stylistic vision.

While the production of sparkling Lambrusco wine is dwarfed by Glera-based Prosecco in Italy, it is widely consumed domestically. It pairs well with regional foods such as cured meats, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and gnocchi. You are more likely to spot sparkling Lambrusco at a casual dinner than premium sparkling wine.

Understanding the Lambrusco Family

Lambrusco is a family of related grape varieties rather than a single grape. It dates back to ancient times and was known as a bramble-like vine that grew spontaneously along the edges of fields. The different varieties provide a spectrum that can deliver a wide stylistic range of wines.

The Sorbara Standard

The most delicate and floral of the Lambrusco family is Lambrusco Sorbara, the centerpiece for Ventiventi production. It is used on their premium Metodo Classico wines and is prized for its elegance and freshness – a far cry from some of the clumsy mass-produced sparkling reds. Sorbara is the benchmark for Lambrusco quality.

Because Sorbara is a functionally female variety (and can’t self-pollinate), Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce is planted alongside the Sorbara vines. The Salamino di Santa Croce is also used in Ventiventi’s Rouge de Noirs Metodo Classico and other structured red wines.

Tasting the Ventiventi Range

We recently tasted three expressions of Ventiventi sparkling Lambrusco made with the Sorbara variety. Each has its own personality and aligns with the winery’s goals of authenticity and precision.

• Brut Rosé Metodo Classico, Lambrusco di Modena DOC – This sparkler represents a more evolved expression of Lambrusco. Creamy foam and a fresh floral aroma appear upon opening. The perlage is fine and persistent. The wine, which ages 50 months on lees, has a stirring acidity and flowing minerality. Soft pink in color, it has elegance and structure that is truly surprising. It can easily be the star of a gourmet dinner. This is perfect for delicate dishes and seafood.

• La Vie Metodo Charmat, Lambrusco di Modena DOC – This wine is softer than the Rosé, with less acidity and minerality. Perlage has fine bubbles but is less persistent than a traditional method sparkling wine. Beautiful magenta in colour, the aroma dances with strawberry and raspberry notes. On the palate, this is a juicy wine that ends with a soft finish. 10.5% ABV.

• Happy Selvaggio Ancestrale – This crown-topped wine represents the playful side of Ventiventi’s offerings. This pet-nat wine is also the most natural expression of the Sorbara grape. Bubblegum pink and slightly cloudy in the bottle, the wine has a respectable mousse. Flavors of strawberry and grapefruit predominate. The first sip is highly acidic, yielding to a yeasty creaminess. The 12 different labels are produced in collaboration with AstronaveLab, an association that works with children with disabilities.

Value and Pricing

Ventiventi wines cost from US$20 to US$45, with the lower price range for entry-level and Ancestral wines, while the top prices apply to the Metodo Classico and single varietal wines.

Why Organic Farming is a Technical Necessity

In the Modena region, organic winemaking and sustainable farming are more than a trend. To obtain a pure expression of Modenese terroir – the indigenous Lambrusco grapes and clay and silt soils – organic practices are needed. Humidity in the region, especially near the Secchia and Panaro rivers, increases the risk of fungal diseases. Conventional viticulture relies on chemical fungicides to manage this risk.

The organic approach focuses on soil health to develop natural resistance and lessen the risk of chemical residue. Ancestral method wines, such as the Happy Selvaggio, rely on a single continuous fermentation with no additions. Because of this, the starting material must be pristine.

Authentic, natural Lambrusco relies on indigenous yeasts present on the grape skins to drive fermentation. Pesticides and fungicides can destroy or lessen this native yeast. The organic approach protects the microflora needed for spontaneous “wild” fermentation.

Commitment to the Vineyard and Environment

Since the planting of the first vineyards, the estate has followed organic farming principles, excluding synthetic chemicals in favor of natural methods that respect the vineyard ecosystem. Organic certification, obtained for both vineyard and winery operations, reflects an approach that prioritizes soil health, plant resilience, and long-term environmental stewardship. Vineyard practices are chosen to preserve biodiversity and maintain a living, fertile soil.

As part of their ethical commitment to sustainability, Ventiventi utilizes an advanced precision irrigation system designed to deliver water in a measured, targeted manner. The system ensures that each vine receives exactly what it needs, when it needs it, no more, no less.

Ventiventi is making significant investments in renewable energy. Since 2019, the estate has progressively expanded its photovoltaic system, increasing production capacity to support winery operations while reducing reliance on non-renewable sources. The long-term goal is full energy self-sufficiency.

A New Face for Lambrusco

Ventiventi is setting a new standard for sparkling Lambrusco wines in Italy’s Modena region. The winery has adopted new organic and sustainability practices while delivering superlative wines with purity and authenticity. It’s a new face of Lambrusco and deserving of a place in your cellar.

 

Feature image credit belongs to Dave Nershi, CSW. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use it.