MaWi: the sustainable and resistant wine of Maculan

MaWi is the first PIWI wine from the Maculan company, a historic winery based in Breganze (Vicenza). The label comes from Cabernet Volos and Merlot Khorus grapes, varieties resistant to fungal diseases that require less treatment in the vineyard. With MaWi Maculan explores a winemaking experience that combines the protection of the territory with the stylistic traits of the company . Even the packaging thinks about the environment and sustainability: the glass bottle weighing less than 450 grams wears a label made entirely from recycled cotton . The Cellar launched the PIWI project in 2017, with the initial planting of 4,000 Merlot Khorus and Sauvignon Rytos vines, two varieties selected by the University of Udine, and subsequently 4,300 Cabernet Volos vines. In 2020 Maculan is among the seven leading companies of the Environmental Passport initiative for the agri-food products of the Vicentina Mountains thanks to the introduction of resistant varieties in the vineyard, thus obtaining the Environmental Passport which favors the design and marketing of new agri-food products, respectful of 'environment. The initiative, financed by the Rural Development Program of the Veneto Region, saw the stipulation of the voluntary agreement with the then Ministry of the Environment and the Protection of the Territory and the Sea (MATTM), whereby the realities involved committed themselves to reduction of the environmental footprint of one or more products under the guidance of the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Padua . “The MaWi vineyards – explains Maria Vittoria Maculan , oenologist of the Breganze company – are resistant to the main adversities of the vine, such as downy mildew and powdery mildew , and receive only two phytosanitary treatments throughout the production season, unlike the ten to be carried out with systemic and the eighteen necessary with organic. This means a reduced use of fuel and water resources , as well as a significant decrease in carbon dioxide emissions in the surrounding ecosystem. MaWi proves to be an environmentally conscious wine, which combines sustainability, enological research and a quality taste experience”. The name of the wine takes its inspiration from the diminutive of Maria Vittoria, Mavi: thus MaWi was born, which encloses in a single wording the name Maria Vittoria – the first promoter of the project, supervised by the oenologist from the beginning –, the Maculan company and the vines PIWI . To offer the best interpretation of the Cabernet Volos and Merlot Khorus grapes, Maculan proceeds with the manual harvesting of the bunches, followed by a light drying phase. Vinification takes place in small steel vats with four punching down a day which introduces a 12-month refinement in new and used oak barriques. With an intense ruby color, MaWi presents notes of ripe, slightly spicy red fruit on the nose, and in the mouth it offers a rich, round and persistent sip. MaWi is available in the company shop and in the best wine shops starting from 11 euro VAT in the 0.75L format.