La Ponca Showcases Award-Winning Malvasia 2022 at Merano WineFestival Among 200 Organic Producers

La Ponca, a winery based in the Collio hills of northeastern Italy, will make its debut at the Merano WineFestival this year. The event runs from November 7 to 11 in Merano, a town in northern Italy known for its wine culture. La Ponca will participate on Friday, November 7, during the TasteTerroir – bio&dynamica event, which focuses on organic and sustainable wines. This part of the festival brings together 200 producers from around the world who specialize in organic, biodynamic, natural, and other innovative wine styles.

The Merano WineFestival is held at the Kurhaus Merano, a historic venue that hosts some of the most respected names in wine. La Ponca will be located in Sala Sissi at table 174. The estate will present three wines that have received recognition from The WineHunter Award, an annual prize given to outstanding wines at the festival.

Among the wines featured is Malvasia 2022, which won The WineHunter Award GOLD. This wine comes from the Petris and Pacial vineyards, situated between 200 and 260 meters above sea level. The soil here is made up of marl and sandstone from the Eocene era, known locally as “ponca,” which also gives the estate its name. The Malvasia is described as having a straw-yellow color with golden reflections and aromas that include iodized and balsamic notes. Its palate is rich and creamy but balanced by acidity.

Alongside Malvasia 2022, La Ponca will offer tastings of Friulano 2022 and Sauvignon 2022. Both of these wines received The WineHunter Award ROSSO. According to Alex Maccan and his wife Marta, who run La Ponca, being selected for this event is an important recognition of their work. They emphasize that their approach to winemaking is shaped by the local climate: cold air from Mount Korada, winds from the east known as Bora, and constant ventilation create conditions well-suited for organic farming.

La Ponca’s participation at Merano also marks the public unveiling of new label designs for their bottles. These labels are inspired by Renaissance planispheres engraved by Albrecht Dürer. The imagery aims to connect earth and sky, reflecting both human craftsmanship and natural harmony. Each label serves as a symbolic map that follows the wine’s journey from vineyard to table.

The estate’s philosophy centers on expressing the unique character of its land through its wines. The combination of climate, soil, and organic farming practices shapes their products. The new labels are intended to reinforce this connection between nature and human effort.

The Merano WineFestival has become a key event for producers who focus on sustainability and innovation in winemaking. For La Ponca, debuting at this festival represents both an opportunity to reach a wider audience and a milestone in its development as a winery committed to quality and environmental responsibility.