The sunny slopes of the small Cialla valley have been planted with vineyards for centuries. History and tradition suggest that Verduzzo, Picolit, Ribolla Gialla, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and Schioppettino were the most appreciated and popular vines. Schioppettino, in particular, is a variety, which is limited to an area spreading over a few kilometres of land between Cialla and Prepotto. This particular species, which had been about to disappear, was saved at the beginning of the 70s thanks to a bold and resolute decision made by Ronchi di Cialla. The production of the Cialla cru grapes is controlled by a Decree issued by the Ministry of Agricultural Resources and published in the Official Bulletin n. 278 dated November 28th, 1995. The maximum production of grapes allowed per hectare is 6 tons of Schioppettino and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, 8 tons of Verduzzo and Ribolla Gialla and 3.5 tons of Picolit. Grape production per vine must not exceed 2 kg as far as red grapes are concerned, 2.7 kg for white grapes (Verduzzo and Ribolla Gialla) and 1.3 kg for Picolit grapes. However, out of company’s policy, the actual production is much lower and it never exceeds one kilo of grapes per vine. A significant work has been done for years on older vineyards, at the present moment 4500 vines per hectare are being thickened and the sand bank being lowered based on the Guyot method. The new vineyards are organized following the Guyot principle with an investment on no less than 5000 vines per hectare. Great care is taken in new vineyards and research is carried out to find suitable graft-bearing stump to fit the different varieties and types of soil. Grafts, on the other hand, come from a meticulous mass selection carried out in our vineyards to get a significant improvement in quality while maintaining the natural genetic properties of our wines and respecting the typical features, which characterize them. Ronchi di Cialla was one of the first winemakers to adopt integrated agriculture, with low environmental impact. As a matter of fact, all vineyards are planted with grass adopting natural methods; parasite control (both fungi and arthropods) is kept to its minimum degree by using highly transitory contact or biological products only, in order to get top quality grapes, which are totally free of chemical residues. Action to fight fungi is controlled by a computerized micro-climatic central unit; bugs are monitored by means of specific female pheromones traps. The grape harvest is rigorously and accurately carried out by hand. Grapes are then carefully selected and quickly submitted to the wine making process. All agronomic operations are dealt with by the owners with the cooperation of the well-known agronomist Pierpaolo Sirch.