Supplier Story: TAVA Ceramic Amphora & Monolite in Valpolicella
- Apr 28
- 2 min read
Tava
Located in Mori Trentino Italy, since 2010 Tava has been crafting technical ceramic amphora for winemaking. Produced from a patented mixture of local clay, the ceramic amphora are fired at a temperature that results in a consistent 5% porosity, the same on new oak barrels. The firing temperature can also to reach a tighter 2.5% porosity for whites or lighter reds that would benefit from a slower micro-oxidation.
Tava Ceramic Amphora: 320L, 750L, 16HL
Tava Monolite Grés: 12.5HL, 25HL
Corte Bravi - Valpolicella, Veneto
Corte Bravi is an artisanal, certified organic estate winery in Valpolicella Classica, Italy, founded in 2011 by brother's Andrea and Ivano Brunelli. They produce unfiltered wines using indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention specializing in traditional Valpolicella varieties including Corvina and Rondinella including the region's flagship wine: Amarone. Corte Bravi utilizes over 8x Ceramic Tava Amphora and Monolite's in their winemaking. The Valpolicella region of Italy is historically known for making dark, broody, tannic wines and Corte Bravi's desire to utilize ceramic in their winemaking is to provide another perspective and style on their region's native varietals.
Scatto winemaking with Tava Ceramic
For Corte Bravi's entry level Scatto wine, 100% Corvina undergoes primary alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel for 3 to 4 weeks. Malolactic fermentation, aging and refinement is all done over 10 months in Tava 16HL Ceramic Amphora: one with the standard 5% porosity and the other with a tighter 2.5% porosity (which has been fired at a slightly higher temperature). Using two different porosities on the same wine allows for the wines to evolve in two different ways. The vessel with lower porosity provides slight micro-oxygenation, which enhances the mineral character of the soil (the vineyards are planted on limestone soils) and is more restrained aromatically. The vessel with standard porosity, on the other hand, enhances Corvina's red fruity notes of cherries and strawberries.
Valpolicella Classico winemaking with Tava Ceramic
For the higher price tag Valpolicella Classico (15% Oseleta, 40% Corvinone, 45% Corvina and 5% Rondinella) and also their Amarone, primary alcoholic fermentation is also done in stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation and aging before bottling then sees a mix of oak puncheons and foudres, Tava Ceramic 750L and 16HL Amphorae and Tava's newest vessel; the 12.5HL Monolite made out of Grés which consequently has a tighter 2.5% porosity. The purpose of using Tava ceramic in the blend is to offer freshness, vibrancy and a red candied bouquet both to the Valpolicella Classico Superiore and Amaraone.
TAVA CERAMIC NEEDS FOR 2026?
For any last minute TAVA Ceramic needs for vintage 2026, the Bouchard Cooperages team is currently wrapping up our 2026 North America West Coast and East Coast containers and there is still room to add anything custom to the container. Please find 2026 options below and reach out to sales@bouchardcooperages.com or (707) 257-3582 for more info
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