Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The grapes come from the estate’s vineyards near Orvieto, within the traditional Classico DOC production zone. The vines were planted between 1984 and 2023 and are organically farmed in a Mediterranean climate. The vineyards lie at 320 m, face south-east and south-west, and benefit from abundant sunlight and frequent winds. The soils are described as sandy clay dating from the Pliocene era, rich in marine fossils including shells and oysters; the estate’s vineyards are also described as having clay and marl soils with fossilised Miocene-era seashells.
Grapes
Selected Grechetto is blended with Vermentino, Chardonnay and Procanico.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested by hand, destemmed, chilled and pressed at the winery. Each variety ferments separately in stainless-steel tanks at a controlled 14–16 °C for approximately 15 days. Five per cent of the must ferments in barriques and undergoes malolactic fermentation.
Ageing
The wine rests in bottle for 12 months in the winery’s cellar before release.
Tasting profile
Elegant and balanced, with an expressive mineral character.
Label / history
“Mare Antico” means “Ancient Sea” and refers to the sea that covered the land where the vineyards now stand almost 2.5 million years ago. The label’s black lower section represents this ancient sea. Until a few years ago, the wine was known as “IL” Bianco di Decugnano dei Barbi.
