Between the Via Emilia and the Calanchi Azzurri: where Sangiovese is born

Umberto Cesari winery is located in Castel San Pietro Terme, in the heart of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna, a region world renowned for its superb food products. The vineyards lie on hillslopes at elevations ranging from 300 to 450 metres. Behind the hills is a circlet of calanchi, or badlands, known as the Calanchi Azzurri for their bluish hue. Their bulk helps to keep the climate mild. These conditions, plus good ventilation and strongly delineated seasons, render this area particularly favourable to high-quality grapegrowing.

Amidst variety, one rule: varietal character
Full development of the quality potential of the local grape varieties and the production of superb Sangiovese are the twin foundations of Umberto Cesari’s winemaking philosophy. The vineyards, which cover 120 hectares, are accordingly planted to Sangiovese, Albana, Pignoletto, and Trebbiano, although the international varieties are present as well: Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Chardonnay, which are mainly used in various blends.

The winery estate is organised into five separate farmed parcels, or poderi:
Podere Casetta
Podere Casetta is the property closest to the winery proper and to the winemaking cellar, and the first that Umberto Cesari purchased, in 1967. It is planted to Pignoletto and Albana DOCG, as well as to experimental vineyards.

Podere Parolino
Located next to Podere Casetta, it covers the sides of two steep hillslopes. One of the oldest farm parcels, it is planted to Trebbiano and Sangiovese. A new Merlot vineyard was established in 2007, with sub-surface irrigation. The vineyards on Podere Parolino enjoy the advantages of a gravely subsoil and optimal exposure to sunlight.

Podere Laurento
This is a farm whose roots go deep into the history of the Castel San Pietro Terme area, since it was always the property of the diocesan Curia of Bologna. Umberto Cesari succeeded in purchasing it in 1985 and constructed an ageing cellar on the property. Today it is entirely planted to vineyards. Some of them are experimental, in collaboration with the University of Bologna, other are variety-specific, planted to Chardonnay, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Podere Cà Grande
This property is ideal for growing red-wine grapes, thanks to its lengthy exposure to sunlight, from dawn to sunset. Here Umberto Cesari grows its finest fruit, which produces Sangiovese di Romagna DOC. The vineyards, facing northwest, are planted in medium-textured, clayey soils. Cabernet Sauvignon, Bursona Longanesi, and Albana DOCG are also cultivated here.

Podere Tauleto
At one time this property had numerous areas of surface water; these later receded, leaving behind some 30cm of fertile humus. It was purchased in 1985, and research and experimentation were carried out for ten years by the University of Bologna’s Department of Crop Sciences. The parcel, facing southwest, is planted to the Sangiovese Grosso grape, which yield the Tauleto wine that has won so many awards.