A Commitment to Sustainability
For Leonardo Baccarelli, a glass of wine is a product rich in meaning: a composite of land, climate, vineyards and tradition along with a vision for the future. All of these elements were top of mind when he opened Roccafiore in 2000, with the intent of producing wines that are sustainable in every sense of the word.
Roccafiore has 15 hectares of vineyards in production in the hills and valleys around the town of Todi, Umbria. In addition to preserving and promoting regional grape varieties, they tend olive groves, legumes and grain crops, fruit orchards and a large botanical garden replete with medicinal plants, all farmed organically and sustainably, with the goal of preserving the natural biodiversity of the region.
One of the first wineries in Italy to adopt solar technology, the estate is now entirely solar-powered and has dramatically reduced CO2 emissions in the region with the surplus power they produce. They use biofuels for their farming equipment and in the winery they have reduced water consumption through the collection of rainwater in their own reserve. Winemaking and cellaring take place in facilities built below ground and the winery uses gravity flow instead of mechanical pumps to move the grapes from crush to tanks. Lighter glass bottles are used to reduce energy and waste. These choices have earned Roccafiore Umbria’s Green Heart Quality for sustainable agriculture.
Although still a young winery, Roccafiore’s commitment to nurturing indigenous grape varieties has made them a leader in the research and production of the regional clone of Grechetto, a very special grape that produces elegant wines, rich with fruit and mineral tension. Their vibrant and complex Montefalco Rosso is made with little intervention or adornment, allowing this intriguing blend to speak for itself.
From farm to winery to bottle, Roccafiore’s winemaking philosophy remains true to nature.
Roccafiore 2020 ‘Fiordaliso’ Grechetto, Umbria
Retail: $21.95 / btl
Roccafiore 2018 Montefalco Rosso, Umbria
Retail: $34.95 / btl
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The Wines
Roccafiore 2020 ‘Fiordaliso’ Grechetto, Umbria
Straw-yellow with light green shading. On the nose there are fragrant aromas of white flowers, pink grapefruit and green apple. On the palate the wine is dry, fresh and vibrant, with a lengthy mineral and saline finish.
Roccafiore 2018 Montefalco Rosso, Umbria
90 points – Eric Guido, Vinous, August 2021
“Wild, peppery herbs, crushed stone and nuances of strawberry lift up from the 2018 Montefalco Rosso. It’s silky and fleshy in feel, with ripe cherry and raspberry motivated by zesty acidity, and pretty inner florals forming toward the close. This is a mouthful of juicy fruits, yet it’s balanced throughout. Tapers off with a flourish of sweet spice. The Montefalco Rosso is blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and equal parts Cabernet and Merlot.”
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About Roccafiore
Located near the medieval hilltop town of Todi (in the very middle of Italy – halfway between Florence and Rome, and smack-dab between both coasts), Roccafiore was founded in 2000 by Leonardo Baccarelli as an organic farm, restaurant & inn. In the rolling hills surrounding Todi, it’s an innovative project. The pioneering 15 hectare vineyard is planted to Grechetto di Todi, Trebbiano Spoletino, Sangiovese, Montepulciano & Sagrantino. But that’s not all; the 90 ha estate is also home to a drift (herd) of Cinta Sinese pigs (for salumi & prosciutto), as well as organic olives, grains and vegetables that supply the on-site restaurant. A solar installation supplies the electricity needs of the entire estate, including the winery and boutique hotel. Even the tractors run on biodiesel.
The gravity-flow winery, completed in 2010, boasts the latest technology and a luxury of space for the 90,000-bottle capacity — allowing production of the highest quality wines with the least manipulation. There is a very clear determination to achieve great results, and resources to support this goal. Roccafiore is a very young project, and already showing impressive results under the direction of Leonardo’s son, Luca. The vineyards and cellar were designed by Hartmann Donà, whose reputation was made in the Alto Adige, and he continues to oversee the winemaking. Green manure (vegan) fertilization in the vineyards, spontaneous fermentation in the cellar and their meticulous eco-conscious ethos make Roccafiore very special. This is a compelling range of wines, and we especially love the various expressions of Grechetto and Sangiovese. The wines are Certified Organic.
This young project has already been recognized with Gambero Rosso’s Tre Bicchieri. Most recently, Roccafiore was featured in the 2019 Slow Wine Guide, with a special shout-out to the “lip-smacking” Bianco ‘Fiordaliso’ 2017 Grechetto with the Everyday Wine Prize – awarded to conscientious bottles that also represent excellent value.
A visit to Roccafiore is highly recommended – for the wine, the very comfortable rooms, spa, and a very fine dining room – in the buccolic hills of Umbria.
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You can also email wine@thevineagency.ca or call 416.693.7994. We’d love to chat about wine with you!
