The Zeoli family owns and operates the Monticino Rosso estate, located in the hills of Emilia-Romagna, just southeast of the city of Bologna. The property today consists of 37 hectares, 14 of which are planted to vines.The remaining 20+ hectares contain fruit trees, which have historically produced the estate’s primary crop. In recent generations, the Zeolis have refocused their efforts and poured their heart into the vines on their property. They produce strictly indigenous varieties such as Albana di Romagna, Pignoletto, and Sangiovese di Romagna. In Italy, their most prized wine is Codronchio, which is a selection of Albana grapes that are left on the vine for additional ripening and subsequently affected by botrytis. These extremely concentrated grapes are then pressed, and the must is fermented until it is completely dry. No malolactic is allowed, and the wine is left on the lees for body and aromatic complexity. It is decanted prior to bottling and then it is kept in the Monticino Rosso cellars for an additional aging period. Gambero Rosso has consistently given the Codronchio two and three glasses as well as its “best value/price” recognition since 2008.