Cantina Errante Unveils Vignevecchie 2024, a Spontaneous Fermentation Beer from Old Bolgheri Vines
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Editorial Dept.
Cantina Errante’s latest release, Vignevecchie 2024, bridges the worlds of wild fermentation and traditional winemaking in an unexpected way. Created in collaboration with Bolgheri winemaker Matteo Niccolai, it transforms the character of old Sangiovese vines into a spontaneously fermented beer of rare depth and freshness. The project reflects a shared commitment to authenticity, rescuing forgotten vineyards while pushing the boundaries of what beer—and terroir—can express.
A press release from Cantina Errante (an independent craft brewery based in Tuscany, Italy, specializing in spontaneous fermentations), revealed that Vignevecchie 2024 is available in 0.375 Liter Bottles. It is a 8% spontaneous beer with Sangiovese grapes from Bolgheri, on the coast of Tuscany.
For Vignevecchie 2024, Cantina Errante sought out a collaboration of Matteo Niccolai, a winemaker from Bolgheri, on the coast of Tuscany – a region world-renowned for its Supertuscans, Bordeaux-inspired red wines aged in barriques and crafted from international grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Niccolai, however, has chosen a very different path: restoring old vineyards, cared for with minimal intervention and organic practices, and focusing on local varieties such as Sangiovese. In the cellar he works naturally, favouring spontaneous fermentation and avoiding long ageing. It’s a counter-trend approach, true to the spirit of a stubborn winemaker – as he likes to call himself.
“Supertuscans from Bolgheri – the same area where the grapes for Vignevecchie 2024 come from – cost a fortune and are often produced in ultra-luxurious cellars designed by star architects,” explains Stefano Botto, owner of Cantina Errante.
“Matteo’s project is the complete opposite: he is rescuing the old vineyards of the area, often owned by elderly farmers who can no longer tend them but refuse to sell to large companies eager to turn them into Supertuscan estates.”
The Sangiovese used for Vignevecchie comes from the very first harvest of Niccolai’s new venture. The grapes, showing impressive ripeness and aromatic depth, were crushed by foot and macerated – about 40% of the blend – in a spontaneously fermented beer aged for around three years.
This base beer comes from Cantina Errante’s ongoing project known as Ka, a Solera-style system in which beer is periodically drawn from a large oak barrel where spontaneous fermentation takes place and replenished with fresh wort, introducing new sugars and microorganisms to continuously refresh and enrich the resident culture.
After a further year of maturation, Vignevecchie 2024 emerges today with a bright ruby hue, a fresh bouquet of red berries and raspberry, and a lively yet refined acidity on the palate. “It’s a small batch – only bottles, no casks,” concludes Botto, “don’t miss out”.
With Vignevecchie 2024, Cantina Errante and Matteo Niccolai have created more than a beverage—they’ve captured a dialogue between land, tradition, and innovation. This small-batch release stands as a tribute to Bolgheri’s forgotten vineyards and the beauty of spontaneous fermentation. For connoisseurs seeking something truly singular, this is an experience not to miss—a bottle that speaks of place, patience, and the art of doing things differently.
Notable Features of Vignevecchie 2024
- 🍇 Grapes from Old Vines – Sangiovese sourced from historic Bolgheri vineyards
- 🍺 Spontaneous Fermentation – Naturally fermented beer using traditional wild yeasts
- 🔴 Bright Ruby Hue – Fresh and inviting color in every bottle
- 🍓 Aromatic Profile – Notes of red berries and raspberry on the nose
- 🍶 Small-Batch Craft – Limited production, bottled in 0.375L formats
- 🌿 Minimal Intervention & Organic Practices – Respecting both the vine and the environment
- ⚖️ Lively Yet Refined Acidity – Balanced palate with freshness and depth
- 🕰️ Unique Aging Process – Beer matured in a Solera-style oak system for complexity
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