Avignonesi is named after the founding family of the estate and has undergone an exciting journey since its foundation. Acquired by Virginie Saverys in 2009, Avignonesi has grown in size and at the same time become a leader in biodynamic viticulture in Italy. Thanks to Virginie's respect for the ecosystem, her staff and the end consumer, the winery has started to produce organic wines that are linked to their origins, yet singular and unique. And in the best biodynamic approach, our wines receive minimal intervention in the cellar! Sustainability also plays an important role in everyday life at Avignonesi.
To date, the estate has grown to 175 hectares of vineyards, including the purchase of a state-of-the-art winemaking facility in the Montepulciano appellation.
It is Virginie's perseverance to take care of the land and her irresistible willingness to produce a wine that is quite unique and true to its origins that has made it possible to bring life back into the vineyards and create a healthier working environment for all the staff.
The wines Avignonesi bring out the richness and elegance of Montepulciano's heritage. Sangiovese wines have been produced here for centuries and the fascination surrounding this appellation is accentuated by the 'back to basics, no unnatural intervention' approach that biodynamic viticulture entails.
This methodology and the passion shared by the entire staff for the production of high quality products, thanks to the deep conviction of the values shared by the management team, allow us to respect the innate character of each wine, following its natural path from the soil to the cellar and, finally, to the glass!
"Healthier wines for healthier people, but also a healthier earth and a healthier environment to pass on to future generations."
Virginie Saverys
Born in Ghent, Belgium, Virginie graduated in law from the University of Paris in 1983. Before moving to Tuscany in 2007 and acquiring Avignonesi in 2009, Virginie had a very successful legal career in Belgium. But her love and passion for fine wines, which has always been in the family, led her to change career and country to pursue her dreams. In 2009, she bought Avignonesi with the intention of founding a company renowned for its quality, innovative research and experimentation and take it to a new level of excellence. His great faith in organic products and homeopathic medicine has meant the introduction of sustainable farming methods through biodynamic viticulture, which has made Avignonesi the largest biodynamic winery in Italy to date. His goal for Avignonesi is to produce authentic and unique wines that reflect the distinct identity of Montepulciano and are also healthier for his customers, the land and future generations.
Eline Aloy
I was fascinated by the world of wine a long time ago, but it really hit me when I arrived in Montepulciano, Tuscany. My mother, Virginie Saverys, had taken over the winery Avignonesi. Watching her and her team walk among the vines and take care of every single bunch of grapes was so intriguing. The way they managed to bottle the message of each vintage in such a unique way, giving voice to the land, was incredible and I wanted to take a step into this fascinating world.
When I turned 26, I opened my first wine shop in Antwerp, Avini.
I often visited Avignonesi and during a blending session I couldn't resist and sneaked in. For fun, I tried making my own little blend.... and I instantly fell in love. When I was looking for a name for this wine, it came naturally to me to refer to this intense year full of wine.
And so it all began. Ventisei was born.