In tarot, few cards evoke as much fascination as "The Fool". Depicted as a wandering traveller walking at the edge of a precipice with a confident smile, the Fool symbolises the beginning of the journey, absolute freedom, and faith in the unexpected. It is the card that invites us to relinquish control and discover that, at times, the greatest rewards come when we dare to leap into the unknown.
That very spirit resides in Cascina degli Ulivi, the estate located in the Alto Monferrato, in Piedmont, Italy, with over 22 hectares cultivated under biodynamic principles. Here, first Stefano and now his daughter Alice Bellotti, have chosen a different path: vineyards tended with minimal intervention, devoid of chemicals and technological artifices, allowing the plants and their fruits to express their inner freedom. For, ultimately, nature knows far more about harmony than any industrial formula.
The wine in question declares it from its name: Le Mat du Raisin. "Le Mat," as the Fool is known in the Marseille tarot, appears on the label as a reminder that even in moments of difficulty lie seeds of fortune. And although the wine itself bears the nickname "U Guaio," meaning "in trouble," far from sounding negative, it points to that universal truth: only by facing the toughest challenges do we find new ways to grow.
Cascina Degli Ulivi Bellotti Le Mat du Raisin is a blend of barbera and dolcetto from vines over 60 years old, which endows it with character and depth. After a maceration of about 7 days with its skins, the must undergoes spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, without temperature control, in large oak barrels. Finally, the wine rests for around 12 months in the same casks, refining its body and spirit.
Cascina Degli Ulivi Bellotti Le Mat du Raisin dares to be different, like the Fool of the tarot. Fresh yet intense, profound yet playful, with the wisdom of tradition and the rebelliousness of one who trusts in the unexpected.