a new artisan wine brand by dry farm wines
a new artisan wine brand by dry farm wines.
borne by fire in the euganean hills
Looking out over the northern Italian region of Eugenei, it appears as if the earth had once bubbled like boiling water. These rounded hills are the result of ancient seismic shifts centuries ago that gave birth to uniquely dark volcanic soils. In the 1800s, local royalty discovered they were perfect for planting grape vines, so Bordelaise varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon were imported. And thus, a robust, elegant wine profile emerged – a marriage of the best of Italian and French winemaking. Today, the Voltazzas of Monteversa keep this tradition alive with our special project – Cervo.
Test
2023 cervo voltazza rosso
60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet FrancVeneto, Italy
Over 150 years ago, the first Bordeaux varietals were planted in northern Italy. Today, the 2023 Voltazza Rosso carries the tradition of this powerful marriage.
The vines of Monterversa on the Northern hills of Veneto have given birth to a rare extraordinary cuvée – the first bottling of our new project, Cervo.
Bordeaux varietals and pedigree come to vivid life in this ancient Italian terroir. The unique basaltic soils and altitude of the hills bring forth a distinct mineral freshness and rustic structure. This bottle is a full throated expression of fruit and earth, in near perfect harmony.
Enjoy a Venetian masterpiece.
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wine details
TASTING NOTES
There’s a touch of magic in the Cervo Voltazza Rosso. While it hails from the little-known Colli Euganei, its grapes ( Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc) are as familiar as the back of your hand. One might assume their presence stems from the Super Tuscan wave, but in truth they’ve been rooted in these volcanic hills for over 150 years. The unique basaltic soils here lend a distinct mineral freshness and tension, layering over the blend’s natural power and structure. The result is a wine that marries the fruit and depth of Bordeaux with the rustic soul of Italy and the lift that comes from altitude and volcanic stone. It’s a stunner, full stop.
PAIRING
A bold Bordeaux-style blend like the Cervo Voltazza Rosso finds its natural place beside elegant yet rugged beef dishes, from Tournedos Rossini to Bistecca Fiorentina, or even a delicately seasoned steak tartare. Thanks to its mineral backbone, a gift of the volcanic soils of the Colli Euganei, it also harmonizes beautifully with rich poultry such as roast duck or chicken, as well as deeply flavored vegetables like roasted eggplant or smoky grilled mushrooms.
varietals
60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc
Country
Italy
serving temperature
57 °F
Alcohol
12.21%
an ancient story
33 million years ago
Looking out over the Euganean Hills, it’s as if the earth once boiled, and a series of great bubbles were petrified mid-burst. These rounded hills are not volcanoes in the traditional sense—there were no eruptions, no lava flows. But their cores are volcanic, formed from deep, molten surges that never breached the ocean floor above. Erosion sculpted the terrain into soft domes and conical forms. Formed between 34 and 33 million years ago, the Euganean Hills are not part of a single mountain range but instead rose one by one from seismic shifts beneath the sea. Each hill is geologically unique, with its own soil composition, mineral identity, and shape, like Mount Lozzo, rising in solitary majesty from the surrounding flatlands. There are around 100 such hills within a compact area southwest of Venice, including Monteversa’s own Monte Versa. The soil they share is dark, stony, and rich with volcanic history, perfect for vines, as local winemakers would later discover.
1869
In the late 19th century, a wave of viticultural experimentation swept through Veneto. Local aristocrats imported vines from France, Germany, and Austria, establishing the region as Italy’s foremost center for international varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Riesling, Syrah, and others all took root—many on the volcanic slopes of the Euganean Hills. On these hillsides, Cabernet in particular flourished. Locals dubbed the resulting wines, “vino puro di monte,” or “pure wine of the hills,” for their vivid expression and structure. The Counts Corinaldi doubled down, planting both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in prized volcanic soils. Their efforts were quickly validated: in 1900, a Veneto Cabernet won the Grand Prix at the Paris Exposition for the first time.
1989
Recognizing the rare geological and ecological value of the area, the Euganean Hills were officially declared a protected regional park in 1989. Industrial development was banned, preserving this patchwork of forest, vineyard, and hillside for generations to come. The protection ensured that the legacy of volcanic terroir, and the vineyards rooted in it, would remain undisturbed.
2007
In 2007, the Monteversa estate was purchased by Santino and Filippo Voltazza. Though not trained in viticulture, Filippo, a metallurgical engineer, brought with him a precision honed by years in automotive R&D. He turned his analytical eye to the vineyards, prioritizing low yields, healthy soils, and careful observation over industrial shortcuts. From the outset, the Voltazza family began the conversion to organic farming, and would not harvest grapes until 100% certified. The goal: to create wines of clarity and intention, grounded in the volcanic character of their site.
2010
Monteversa’s first organic harvest. From vine to bottle, every aspect of the process was shaped by restraint, patience, and respect for the land. These early wines revealed the hills’ quiet power: structured reds with Bordelaise bones, yet unmistakably Italian in grace and tone.
2019
Monteversa partners with Dry Farm Wines for their first collaboration. Since then, their red and white cuvées have been amongst the most popular in the US, embraced by those seeking an elevated aesthetic that is also low alcohol, sugar free, and farmed with honor for terroir.
2025
After years of blending trials, an ambitious new wine is born: Cervo. It marks the next chapter of Monteversa, a wine that gathers the energy of these ancient hills, the precision of engineering, and the soul of organic farming into one bold, expressive bottle.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
COMMON QUESTIONS
What is Cervo?
Cervo is a premium artisan wine cuvée grown and crafted by Dry Farm Wines in partnership with Monteversa in the Euganean Hills of Northern Italy.
Does Cervo go through the same testing process as Dry Farm Wines?
Yes. Cervo is sugar free, organically grown, lower in alcohol & sulfites, and friendly to keto, paleo, and vegan.
Do I get my Dry Farm Wines Member benefits with Cervo?
As a Dry Farm Wines Member, all of your Member benefits apply to Cervo, including a Member pricing courtesy which will be applied at checkout.
How do I become a Dry Farm Wines Member?
You can become a Dry Farm Wines Member by checking out with one of our Membership products here.
What do the names Cervo and Voltazza mean?
Cervo (technically pronounced “Chair - vo”) is Italian for stag, an homage to our Dry Farm Wines’ antlers. Voltazza is the name of the winemaker who is helping us grow this wine.
