A PORTRAIT OF THE WINERY

Grandfather Luigi Cecchi was a professional wine-taster or palatista, as his trade was called in those days, and in 1893 he and his family took their first steps into the world of actual winemaking. The business they set up is still today run by his descendents, Cesare and Andrea, and after more than one hundred years of operation has become one of Italy’s most important wineries, certainly one of the historic cantinas and one of the oldest protagonists of the history of wine in this country. It is a traditional maison that is also very dynamic. In the late 1990s they decided to cross over the border from Tuscany and embark upon the challenge of making their own Sagrantino di Montefalco. And so the Tenuta Alzatura came into being, named after the place where the cantina, which was recently built, and one of the vineyards lie. Among their various Umbrian properties, the family also owns Palazzo Paulucci on Piazza Mustafà in the historical centre of Montefalco.

THE VINEYARD AND TERROIR

They own a total of 18 hectares spread over two vineyards. The terrain into which the grapevines bury their roots has all the typical characteristics this district is famous for, and environmental impact is kept to a minimum by using modern integrated pest control methods.

THE GRAPE VARIETIES GROWN

sagrantino, sangiovese, merlot

WINES

Uno di… Literally translated it means “One of…” The number they then add to it is progressive, to become for example One of… Eight, etc… This Montefalco Sagrantino is aged in small oak barrels for about sixteen months and has a refined and complex bouquet with a classy palate which is never overbearing. Their Montefalco roSSo is made with a masterful blend of sangiovese, sagrantino and merlot, using all of the grape varieties they grow.