Flood water engulfs world’s lowest vineyard

The exceptionally high water level that has submerged the Lagoon of Venice and the city of Venice over the last few days has also engulfed the world’s lowest vineyard.

(Image © Mattia Mionetto)

The Bisol vineyard on the island of Mazzorbo has been completely overwhelmed by the high tide. Floods levels have reached 1.5m above the normal level of the Adriatic Sea and are the sixth highest floods since records began in 1872.

Gianluca Bisol, the winemaker for Bisol, said: “We have had the honour of taking part in a show that is unique to this world.

“The Dorona vines literally seemed to be born from the water as they were mirrored in the unmoving surface of the lagoon. What has happened here has no equal in any part of the world and will be remembered throughout history. We have never known such a high tidal effect since the vineyard was planted.”

The flooding and the saltiness of the water has a strong impact on the grapes, with Bisol claiming it makes the terrior and the wine “unique”.

Bisol added: “Naturally, salt water has a saline effect on the roots, so it is very important that the contact time is carefully managed: if the period is brief the roots become used to the extreme environment and endow the grape clusters with the desired characteristics typical of this territory.

“We believe that the high tide water is a fascinating phenomenon, which is an important ingredient in making the characteristics of this vineyard unique.

“It is however fundamental that man knows how to deal with these natural phenomena in the best of possible ways so as to allow the wine to best express the characteristics of typicity and terroir. Venissa is also unique in this aspect.”

Bisol vines under flood water which has engulfed the Lagoon of Venice (Image © Mattia Mionetto)