Uncorked: Giancarlo Moretti Polegato, Villa Sandi

Giancarlo Moretti Polegato, CEO of Italian wine producer Villa Sandi, reveals how his mother contributed toward his most treasured bottle of wine, his love of a certain Beatle and distaste of tardiness.

What vintage are you?

1957

What bottle sparked your love of wine?

Definitely a bottle of Cartizze, the special cru of Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG. Steep hills, vineyards cared with work done by hand using timeless techniques – the charm of Prosecco at its best. When I first sipped and tasted a glass of Cartizze I was raptured. I could taste the perfect balance between freshness and smoothness.

Where are you happiest?

When I am at Villa Sandi, which to me means home and winery at the same time. Also, whenever I welcome people and can share with them the charm and fascination of a historical Palladian villa merged in a blissful scenery of vineyards.

What’s your greatest vice?

I tend to be a perfectionist, sometimes too much.

What was the best advice you ever received?

Trust your staff and motivate them.

What’s the most overused word?

Not one in particular. I am used to an essential and straightforward communication, going straight to the focus of any issue. I tend to consider any word which is not essential overused.

Your cellar is underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?

I am especially devoted to the very first bottle of our Classic Method sparkling with 84 months maturation on the lees, which was dedicated to my mother with her name on the label, Amalia Moretti. It was a tribute to her care and being an active part in our winery.

What’s the best and worst thing about the wine business?

The best is that we are so lucky as to be so deeply involved in the land we live in, with our wines being produced mainly from grapes typical of the area. This gives you a strong sense of identity and belonging to a specific area. The worst thing is not specifically linked with the wine business but generally speaking I don’t like people being late, and late flights.

What’s on your wine bucket list?

Of course I drink wines by other wine producers and really like many of them, but I can’t help mentioning here my favourite wine at Villa Sandi, because it was a dream come true. Since I was a boy I have wanted to own a vineyard on the Cartizze hills in Valdobbiadene, the most precious vineyards in Italy. About 10 years ago we managed to purchase one. We renovated most of it with many new vines. It was the start of an exciting story. To produce a special Cartizze, in a brut style, while Cartizze has always been produced as a dry, was a challenge but it worked. From the second year of production our Cartizze “Vigna La Rivetta” has been awarded in the Tre Bicchieri Gambero Rosso awards for Italian wine.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Why not Paul McCartney? I was, and still am, a big Beatles fan.

Personal satisfaction (Parker points – out of 100)?

94

Which wine would you like served at your funeral?

The charming and crispy Prosecco bubbles – the wine of my area. Prosecco has always been in my life, as a man and as a wine producer.