I Gessi di Scandiano

Our estate is part of a geological complex known as the “Gessi di Scandiano”.
This site is located on the lower Reggio Emilia hillside, running parallel to the Aemilian Way, standing only a dozen miles from it, surrounded by Messinian gypsum outcrops known as the Gessi Reggiani. In actual fact, along with the Gessi di Scandiano, starting from the west, this site also includes the Gessi di Vezzano on the right of the Crostolo river, as well as the Gessi di Albinea.

Similar to the gypsum outcrops in Bologna and Romagna but on a smaller scale, the Gessi Reggiani feature a landscape of cliffs and sinkholes, gorges and caves (about forty) within which runs a hydrological network that is practically invisible from the outside. These gypsum outcrops are bordered downstream by prevalently clay Pliocene formations and protected upstream by a chalky-marly ridge with intervals of sandstone forming part of the chaotic complex of “Argille Scagliose” or scaly clay, which rises up to about 500 m above sea level at Ca’ del Lupo (Vezzano) and Ca’ del Vento (Albinea), two places that border the region of Viano.

Along the Tresinaro river valley, where our estate runs, emerge Messinian gypsum rocks in irregular, thin and highly tectonic strips, coming into contact with the Argille Varicolori di Cassio. Bigger outcrops can be seen on the edges of the ravine basins to the left of the Tresinaro river, along the Rocca river (which flows through our estate) and to the right of Monte de’ Gesso.

The natural caves carved out by rainwater in the gypsum deposits on our estate include:

  • RE 482 BUCO DEL LACCIO
  • RE 13 GROTTA DI TERENZANO
  • RE 286 GROTTICELLA DI FIGNO
  • RE 285 TANA DELLA VOLPE DI FIGNO

The presence of gypsum in the subsoil can be seen in the form of the clear mineral qualities and good tangy salinity that characterise our whole range of wines.