The Method and Approach Behind Winecircus by Roberto Cipresso
Ten years and thousands of attempts to "square the circle" in winemaking have brought me to a philosophy that is both more balanced and complex. I have combined land, smell, variety, and diverse climates without setting any limits to my exploration, experimentation, and search for answers. These experiences have only expanded my doubt and uncertainty. Yet, there is one truth that comes back to me always. There are some places where nature, out of either generosity or humour, solves all the problems herself and offers a perfect terroir that contains all the solutions at the start. These are instances where wine is discovered not planned. Our contributions are minimal and nature is the master builder of these wines.
At other times, we do need to intervene, interpret, and build on natural conditions in winemaking. In these instances, the solution rests on our effort and actively "squaring the circle". In doing this, we need both respect and courage. We need to respect the terroir and its natural potential. We need the courage to apply the right efforts for tapping into this potential and for discovering solutions that draw on the best aspects of the terroir and ourselves. Wines developed with this philosophy are at the frontiers of oenology.
In the end, I have found that the raw materials of winemaking always offer certain characteristics, colour, and details that need to be cherished. The final palette used to produce a wine is the result of a long process of effort, selection, and decision-making that may be more or less simple, direct, or reassuring. It is important to understand the journey of selection, research, and original thinking that goes into any wine.