On the volcanic slopes above Bassano del Grappa, where the Asiago plateau descends into vine-laced hills, Vignaioli Contrà Soarda stands as an expression of revival through rootedness. Founded in 1999 by Mirco and Gloria Gottardi, the estate began as a reclamation—an abandoned hillside transformed into a living vineyard. The Gottardi family, with generations of experience in hospitality, brought not only vision but a profound respect for the land they chose to restore.

“Contrà Soarda,” meaning “on the slope” in the local dialect, reflects both the estate’s topographical character and its identity. Volcanic soils, rich in minerals and deeply permeable, lend energy and depth to the wines. The site benefits from a unique interplay of elevation, wind, and diurnal shifts, producing grapes with expressive aromatics and vibrant acidity. Everything in the vineyard is shaped by organic and biodynamic practices—an ethos that favors vitality over intervention, and harmony over haste.

Architecture and ecology converge at the heart of the estate. The winery, carved into the hillside, was designed with sustainability in mind—gravity-fed, naturally insulated, and powered by geothermal energy. This physical integration mirrors the philosophical one: the land dictates the rhythm, and the building serves its function without imposition.

Contrà Soarda’s wines express a dialogue between indigenous heritage and thoughtful adaptation. Vespaiolo, the signature white of the Breganze DOC, is rendered here with crystalline purity and tensile freshness. In its more structured form, Vignasilan, the variety shows remarkable poise and length. Among reds, Marzemino Nero finds vivid voice in the Gaggion bottling, a wine of depth and inner lift. International varieties, such as Pinot Nero in Vignacorejo, are interpreted through the lens of local terroir, yielding wines of elegance without mimicry.

The Musso line, named for the donkeys that quietly assist in the vineyards, reflects the estate’s reverence for its ecosystem. These small-production wines represent both the craft and humility that define Contrà Soarda’s identity.

Each bottle from Contrà Soarda offers more than a taste of Veneto—it captures a philosophy rooted in land stewardship, resilience, and the quiet unfolding of character through time.