A PORTRAIT OF THE WINERY

The Moretti family’s history as farmers began after the end of the Second World War, when grandfather Omero, still the owner, returned to Italy after having sought his fortune in Switzerland. He bought an olive grove first and this simple yet symbolic gesture gave way to a family tradition that has been passed down through the generations who, slowly but surely planted new olive trees and new grape vines. The land on which all this is planted is stunning and sits along the road that from the main Foligno-Todi artery leads to Giano dell’Umbria and up into the Martani Mountains above. The Moretti estate remains small, yet their commitment to safeguarding the environment, the genuineness of its products and their pride in their territorial identity rivals that of much larger estates. Theirs is an organic estate which boasts 4,500 olive trees and 25,000 vines. They did not become organic because it is now all the rage, but because they have been committed to it for many years now, so much so that since 1992 all of their products have been guaranteed by tests conducted by the Institute of Ethical and Environmental Certification and boast A.I.A.B.(Associazione Italiana per l’Agricoltura Biologica) certification.

THE VINEYARD AND TERROIR

They grow their grapes with full respect for nature, in soil that is characterized by a slightly clayey earth and in a climate that is typical of the area. These features guarantee the identity and the origins of the products.

THE GRAPE VARIETIES GROWN

Five of the vineyard hectares are dedicated to sagrantino, the district’s most important grape, as is the one hectare of the Vignalunga vineyard. Their other black grapes are sangiovese and merlot, while grechetto and malvasia are their white grapes.

WINES

The house Montefalco Sagrantino is a very pleasing wine, especially after it has aged in the bottle for the proper amount of time. The oxymoron “rustic elegance” springs to mind to define it. It has a full flavour and substance, certain vintages even have something of a Burgundian nature. The Montefalco roSSo is no less interesting, it only seems easier to sip. The Montefalco Sagrantino PaSSito is sweet but far from sticky.