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{ SOMMjournal.com } 61 ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOLADES Another sector in which Ferrari leads the way is in the eld of sustainable viticulture. Ferrari started employing or - ganic grapes in its wines long ago, and all Ferrari vineyards were ofcially deemed "certied organic" as of this year. As part of this commitment, the company and its team of agronomists have partnered with the Edmund Mach Foundation, an agrarian institution and wine academy also based in Trentino. Together, they've developed pilot projects and educational training programs geared toward helping Ferrari's 500-plus growers gain a proper balance of biodiversity in their vineyards. It's an approach the company feels will only aid its methods of grape produc - tion, especially in the more fragile alpine vineyards of the region. In recognition of these ongoing efforts to serve as a proper steward of its land, Ferrari has also been awarded a Biodiversity Friend certication by the Worldwide Biodiver - sity Association. A historic 16th-century country house nestled amongst the mountainside vineyards of the Italian Alps, Villa Margon was fully restored by the Lunelli family and today serves as their hospitality center. B eing rst at anything not only requires vision, but patience, and Ferrari founder Giulio Ferrari had both in spades when he started producing sparkling wine in Italy's Trentino region in 1902. What he didn't know at the time, however, was that he was laying the foundation for what would become a worldwide movement while concurrently establishing a lasting home for Italian luxury sparkling wine. Regarding that sense of vision, Ferrari's hopes for Trentino were simple, as he felt the region's climate and elevation were ideally suited for producing Chardonnay-based sparkling wine. More than a century later, with 50-plus producers proving him right, the Trentodoc is recognized the world over for its metodo-classico sparkling wines made from both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—now widely planted to great success. Ferrari is currently owned by the Lunelli family, who were handpicked by the heir - less Giulio to oversee his ultimate dream of creating sparkling wines rivaling those of Champagne. In their three generations of stewardship, the Lunellis have built a brand with an international presence, becoming Italy's most-awarded sparkling-wine produc - ers in the process. Along the way, the Lunellis have rmly adhered to Ferrari's philosophy of never compromising on quality, taking pride in producing accessible premium wines at a wide range of price points. From the entry-level Brut to the agship Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore, the wines of Ferrari deliver. In fact, 2017 saw Ferrari crowned "Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year" at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Champion - ships in London, its second such accolade. PHOTO COURTESY OF TAUB FAMILY SELECTIONS