Simone Gradizzi, an enologist on the edge of balance
Simone Gradizzi is the enological pin on which Tenute Ugolini have invested for about five years. He became part of the winery’s staff when he was very young. He graduated in 2017, with 110 and Honors in the Bachelor’s degree in Viticulture and enology science and technology at the University of Verona.
During university, he worked at the Masi Agricola S.P.A. for two years; first in Rovereto and then in Valgatara’s facility. Once he finished his studies, he worked on Chianti Classico in Tuscany, at Castell’in Villa’s winery and then he arrived at Tenute Ugolini.
Why did you say “Yes” to Tenute Ugolini?
“I believed Tenute Ugolini to be a very interesting winery from the start; in fact I discovered that here there is a strong willingness to leave space to younger people. And by leaving space I am not only talking about hiring young personnel, but letting them free to work, chose, risk and take responsibilities. This is something very important for me and that unfortunately can never be given for granted, especially in the viticultural/enological context.
The choice of an avant-guard project of Valpolicella’s wines
“Another key element which convinced me to choose Tenute Ugolini was undoubtedly that of having an avant-guard vision for Valpolicella’s wines , by saying goodbye to concentrations, colors, structures that don’t belong to us but, on the contrary by giving value to the verticality of our wines , with their acidity shoulder, subtle elegance and great drinkability “.
What are the values an high quality red wine must have?
“An high quality red wine must be balanced and respectful , essentially , of the vineyards from which it was obtained . Moreover, each variety must be vinified and enhanced based on its own characteristics; by working this way then, the other side, the one related to the equilibrium, will follow”.
What is your vision for future Ugolini’s wines?
“I am constantly looking for the perfect balance! Always trying to give a more transparent and sincere voice to our local varieties therefore, reducing to the minimum all enological practices that may interfere with their natural expression, is one of my biggest goals“.
Is there one specific wine in the world you could never live without?
“Macon Village “Les Sardines” by Robert Denogent; it is a Chardonnay 100%, aged for 24 months in used barriques, without added sulphites and non filtered, enologically perfect !