Groletta: Soil Analysis

The small vineyard located in the “Groletta” area, west of the church of San Zeno in Poja, represents a hilly region of great geological and viticultural interest in Valpolicella. It is precisely in this vineyard that our prestigious De Buris wines are born, the result of a perfect blend of chemistry and time to create a unique terroir. Positioned at the southwestern tip of the Lessini Mountains, “Groletta” offers a panoramic view encompassing the morainic amphitheaters of Garda and Rivoli. This location, whose geological history dates back around 170 million years, has undergone significant transformation from a submerged coral beach to an emerged land 23 million years ago, characterized by uplift and erosion processes.

Groletta: Layers Telling the Passage of Time

The rocks exposed in “Groletta” belong to the carbonate succession of the Lessini Mountains, including formations such as the San Vigilio Oolite and Maiolica. These sedimentary rocks, containing evidence of past marine environments, are the result of tectonic movements associated with the Alpine orogeny. These rock layers, partially covered by alluvial and morainic deposits, tell a story of marine sedimentation and tectonic processes that have shaped the current landscape.

Soil Composition in Valpolicella: A Fertile and Diverse Land

The soil of “Groletta” is a medium-textured one with a predominantly calcareous skeleton, enriched with clay, silt, sand, and gravel. This composition, due to a continuous erosion process, ensures good drainage and an abundance of carbonates and potassium, although magnesium and iron are present in lesser quantities. The presence of surface organic matter, resulting from grassing and decomposition of plant materials, enhances soil fertility. The result is an extremely fertile soil essential for nourishing the vines and creating the perfect mix for producing wines that astonish with their extraordinary elegance and complexity.

Physical-Chemical Analysis of the Groletta Vineyard: A Living and Nutritive Soil

Physical-chemical analyses of the soil in the Groletta vineyard in Valpolicella have revealed a good richness of nutrients, including microelements such as boron and phosphorus, which are often scarcely available in calcareous soils. The organic matter, present in sufficient amounts, helps buffer the non-bioavailability typical of highly calcareous soils. This substrate favors good humification and availability of organic carbon, essential for vine vigor, facilitating their cultivation. For this reason, since ancient times, the populations of Valpolicella have dedicated themselves to viticulture, refining and improving cultivation and production techniques over the centuries.

Implications for Vine Cultivation in Valpolicella

Soil analysis has highlighted a good presence of organic matter and nutrients, an aspect that can favor optimal vine cultivation. However, the root penetration depth is limited to about 30-35 cm due to the presence of skeleton and partially fossilized organic matter. This requires ongoing attention in the agronomic management of the vineyard to ensure that vine roots can adequately explore the soil and absorb the necessary nutrients.

Groletta: An Environment with High Biodiversity

The “Groletta” vineyard is thus set in a context of high biodiversity, with hedges and groves enriching the local ecosystem. This diverse environment not only contributes to the quality of the wine produced but also represents added value for the sustainability and health of the vineyard.

The Best Place to Birth the De Buris Dream

Groletta, with its perfect mix of chemistry and time, is the ideal place for vine cultivation. The in-depth soil analyses now allow us to adopt the best agronomic practices to fully exploit the soil’s characteristics and create our iconic wines, such as the Amarone della Valpolicella Classico De Buris or the Valpolicella Classico Superiore, thus fully expressing the quality and uniqueness of the territory. Groletta, the heartbeat of the finest De Buris wines, the luxury of time.