A PORTRAIT OF THE WINERY

Already famous for years for the quality of their extra-virgin olive oil, just over a decade ago the Montioni family decided to invest and try their hand at making wine. The plan took hold in the year 2000 and called for the construction of a new cantina with some very special features: it perfectly mirrors local Umbrian architecture, is entirely under the ground and was built with materials of great historical- architectural value. It is located literally a stone’s throw from Montefalco’s historical centre and the family members themselves are the pillars of strength that run all of its many activities. Paolo Montioni created the plan and is the winery’s owner. He is a true wine lover and a tireless perfectionist. He joined the family firm in 1999 and immediately decided to entirely restructure the way things were being done, both where agriculture was concerned, but also where winemaking was concerned. Working at his side, apart from enologist Cesare Toja, are the rest of the Montioni family: Gabriele, Cesare, Elisabetta, Piera Garofani and Sara Schiavoni.

THE VINEYARD AND TERROIR

The sunny vineyards have a south-east exposure (2 hectares owned by them and another 2 hectares leased to them) and all fall under the jurisdiction of the Montefalco appellation. The terrain here is clayey and rich in nutrients, ideal for the ambitious projects of the family.

THE GRAPE VARIETIES GROWN

The grapes are those for which Montefalco is so famous, and precedence is given to the area’s most classic varietals sangiovese (in larger quantity) and sagrantino. That’s not to say that they don’t also grow a bit of merlot.

WINES

They produce two wines. On one hand a label bearing the area’s most important appellation, DOCG MOntefalCO SaGrantinO, known as the “Ambassador at large” for the Montioni family because it expresses all the warmth and hospitality of the land, and on the other the DOC MOntefalCO rOSSO, “the family’s treasure, ideal for those who want to step out and treat themselves to something good”.