Denavolo - Mièga 2025

Surface area 5 ha.
Natural since 2005

About the winemaker
The charismatic Giulio Armani has been making wine under the name Denavolo since 2005, named for the hills where his vineyards are rooted. Giulio’s journey into natural wine began back in the early '90s, when he became winemaker at La Stoppa and honed his craft.

Since 2005, he has channelled a wealth of knowledge and instinct into his own land and cellar, which together cover around five hectares. Denavolo is a true family-run vineyard, with Giulio and his son Jacopo who now oversees most of the vineyard work forming a quietly formidable team. Giulio, with unmatched precision, personally steers the vinification of every wine from start to finish.

About the vineyard
The Denavolo vineyards are set in the rolling hills of Emilia Romagna, not far from the town of Piacenza. In 2005, Giulio seized the chance to take over a vineyard originally planted in 1975, sitting at 400 metres above sea level and rooted in clay and limestone soils. Here, the iconic Malvasia di Candia Aromatica dominates, accompanied by the local Piacenza variety Ortrugo, and a touch of French Marsanne. These vineyards produce the estate’s signature cuvées, Dinavolo and Dinavolino. In 2008, Giulio expanded the domain, planting an additional three hectares at an altitude of 600 metres. This upper plot is planted with a similar mix, now also including Sauvignon Blanc and Trebbiano, reflecting Denavolo’s commitment to sustainable viticulture and organic vineyards in Emilia Romagna.

About the wines
Denavolo’s wines are unmistakable: expressive, aromatic, and textural, always delivering a generous dash of spice and character. Despite decades of experience, Giulio is a restless experimenter constantly testing different maturation vessels and maceration lengths, which gives each vintage its own unique signature. As a true low-intervention producer, Giulio never uses sulphites; all the wines are vinified completely zéro-zéro. He stands as a leading artisan winemaker among European natural wine producers, crafting thoughtful and genuinely rare orange wines with a spirit all their own.

Denavolo Website
The Morning Claret profile and Denavolo vertical