behind the label: la vis
By Mike Muirhead
La Vis 2006 Dipinti Merlot, Trentino DOC, Italy $ 16.99
La Vis 2006 Dipinti Pinot Grigio, Vignetti delle Dolomiti IGT, Italy $ 16.99
La Vis 2006 Dipinti Pinot Noir, Trentino DOC, Italy $ 16.99
As the saying goes, what was once“ old” becomes new again. La Vis has been producing wine for decades, but it is their achievements in the last 10 years that have made them one of the true innovators of the modern wine world.
La Vis is located in Trentino Alto Adige, Italy. The winery runs as a co-op, meaning that they source fruit from many local producers. This may seem like an easy way to make lots of inexpensive wine, but at La Vis, their main focus is quality.
Many wineries buy grapes in tons per acre, which is a simple economic equation that means the more grapes you pull off per acre, the more wine you can produce. But these economics are where the problem lies. Much like when you plant your tomatoes too close together, high volume does not mean good quality— and this is where La Vis has become a quality leader.
La Vis pays their growers solely by the acre. If one ton of grapes or 10 tons come off those acres, the grower gets the same amount. This has motivated growers to produce better grapes, not more grapes. And La Vis is watching, too. The growers who produce the best grapes over the years get more for their acreage, so it gives all growers something to strive for. The better the grapes, the better the pay— and for us, the better the wine.
La Vis has watched this process unfold over the last 10 years, and has gone on to take those best parcels of land and create special cuvées( or blends) from these wines. Grape growers are given bonuses if their grapes make that grade.
It all comes back to the winery knowing that if they produce a great wine at a great price, the consumers will love it. In the end, good wine always starts with good grapes. � www. banvilleandjones. com 19