Scacciadiavoli

1884: foundation

Scacciadiavoli was founded in 1884, during the Second Industrial Revolution, by Prince Ugo Boncompagni-Ludovisi. He built a large winemaking complex designed to produce up to 1 million bottles of red wine a year. A winery was later built on the site of the exorcist's home.

Origin of the name

The name "Scacciadiavoli" means "one who drives out demons". It comes from a nineteenth-century exorcist who lived in a small village at the edge of the prince's estate. According to legend, he treated a young woman believed to be possessed by evil spirits. After his infusions and potions failed, he gave her enough local red wine to make her drunk. Her senses and reason returned, and she was freed from the demons. In time, both the village and the prince's estate came to be called Scacciadiavoli.

1954–1977: Amilcare Pambuffetti

From 1954 the estate was owned by Amilcare Pambuffetti, then 71, who had worked in the prince's vineyards since the age of 14. After his death in 1977, his sons Mario and Settimio took over the winemaking.

2000 onwards: the third generation

In 2000 the next generation, Francesco, Carlo and Amilcare, continued the family business. They restored the building, greatly expanded the estate, installed modern equipment and built new production facilities, while keeping the historic architectural and structural features and the traditional methods and practices. The estate now owns 35 hectares of vineyards.