A Montefalco 2025: Celebrating an Entire Region Beyond the Sagrantino Grape
The third edition of A Montefalco took place on June 17th and 18th, 2025, in the beautiful medieval village of Montefalco, Umbria. Building on the success of the reimagined event that began in 2023, this year’s celebration honored not only the current vintage release of Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG but all the wines produced in this exceptional region. This year, alongside the 2021 release of the area’s flagship red, visitors experienced the full spectrum of local wines including Montefalco Bianco DOC, Montefalco Grechetto DOC, Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC, Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino Superiore DOC, Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino Spumante DOC, Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino Passito DOC, Montefalco Rosso DOC, and Montefalco Rosso Riserva DOC in the tasting room that welcomed Italian and international press.
Participating Wineries
The 2025 event featured an impressive roster of over 40 participating wineries, including established names like Arnaldo Caprai, Antonelli San Marco, Lungarotti, and many emerging producers, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Montefalco’s wine heritage. A Montefalco 2025 proved to be an exceptional celebration of this unique wine region, offering visitors the opportunity to explore not just the famous Sagrantino grape, but the full spectrum of wines that make Montefalco truly special. The event included dedicated activities for accredited journalists and industry professionals, featuring professional tasting rooms with extended hours and sommelier service, direct winery visits, the Gran Premio del Sagrantino national sommelier competition, and the presentation of the commemorative artist label for the 2021 vintage. With its comprehensive approach to regional wine presentation, the event continues to establish itself as a premier destination for wine lovers and industry professionals alike.
Montefalco: Umbria’s Medieval Wine Capital
This historic hilltop town, perched high above the Umbrian valley and known as the “Balcony of Umbria,” has established itself as one of Italy’s most distinctive wine regions. The medieval village of Montefalco commands breathtaking views across the surrounding countryside, where centuries of winemaking tradition meet modern viticultural excellence. The terroir here is truly exceptional, built upon ancient clay-limestone foundations that provide superior drainage while imparting mineral complexity to the vines. The region enjoys a Mediterranean-influenced climate where warm, sun-drenched days give way to refreshingly cool evenings, creating ideal conditions for the slow maturation that defines quality winemaking. Montefalco’s vineyards cascade down gentle hillsides that capture maximum sunlight while remaining sheltered from extreme weather. This harmonious combination of soil composition, favorable microclimate, and strategic positioning has created a winemaking environment that consistently produces wines of remarkable depth and character, establishing Montefalco as a benchmark for Italian wine excellence.
The Indigenous Grapes That Define Montefalco
Sagrantino
The king of Montefalco’s vineyards, Sagrantino stands as one of Italy’s most distinctive indigenous varieties. This powerhouse grape develops extraordinarily thick skins that create wines of remarkable concentration and aging potential. The resulting wines showcase an impressive spectrum of dark berry fruit, exotic spices, and mineral undertones, supported by substantial tannins that soften into silk over time. Few Italian reds can match Sagrantino’s ability to evolve gracefully in the cellar for decades.
Sangiovese
In Montefalco, Sangiovese takes on a unique personality shaped by the region’s distinctive terroir. While maintaining its signature cherry brightness and food-friendly acidity, here it develops additional layers of complexity that make it an ideal blending partner for Sagrantino in Montefalco Rosso. The grape’s versatility shines in this environment, creating wines that balance immediate appeal with serious aging potential.
Trebbiano Spoletino
This exceptional white variety has found its perfect home in the hills around Montefalco and Spoleto. Trebbiano Spoletino crafts wines that dance between zesty citrus and delicate floral aromatics, often revealing subtle herbal complexity that speaks to the region’s diverse microclimates. The 2025 showcase demonstrated the grape’s remarkable versatility across multiple expressions – from crisp DOC wines to elegant Superiore versions, celebratory Spumante, and concentrated Passito dessert wines.
Grechetto
A white grape that embodies the richness and warmth of central Italy, Grechetto brings weight and texture to Montefalco’s white wine portfolio. Its naturally full body carries flavors of ripe stone fruits and toasted almonds, while underlying minerality reflects the region’s limestone-rich soils. Whether vinified alone or in harmony with Trebbiano Spoletino, Grechetto adds depth and character that distinguishes Montefalco’s white wines from their counterparts elsewhere in Italy.
Wine Tourism in Montefalco
The medieval town of Montefalco is one of Umbria’s premier wine tourism destinations, attracting visitors from around the world to experience its extraordinary combination of history, culture, and winemaking. The rolling landscape, punctuated by ancient olive groves and meticulously maintained vineyards, offers an authentic Italian wine country experience that connects visitors directly with centuries of agricultural tradition. Wine enthusiasts find themselves drawn not only to the exceptional quality of the wines but also to the intimate, family-run operations that characterize much of the region. These producers welcome guests into their cellars and vineyards, sharing both time-honored techniques passed down through generations and innovative approaches that push the boundaries of what’s possible with indigenous grape varieties.
The Strada del Sagrantino
The official wine route of the region, the Strada del Sagrantino, maps an enchanting journey through Montefalco’s most celebrated wine estates. This carefully curated itinerary guides visitors through diverse landscapes and microclimates, each stop revealing different aspects of local winemaking philosophy and technique. From boutique family cellars to larger estates with state-of-the-art facilities, the route showcases the full spectrum of Montefalco’s wine culture while highlighting the deep connection between terroir, tradition, and gastronomy that defines this special corner of Umbria.
Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2021: A New Vintage to Celebrate
The 2025 event showcased the 2021 vintage of Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, marking a new chapter in the region’s winemaking story. This vintage was presented both in traditional tastings and blind tastings, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the characteristics and quality of this release. The comprehensive tasting program ran from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on both days, with sommelier service available in the Sala Consiliare. Access required advance booking through time slots that were reserved via the “Consorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco” app.
Participating Wineries
The 2025 event featured an impressive roster of over 40 participating wineries, including established names like Arnaldo Caprai, Antonelli San Marco, Lungarotti, and many emerging producers, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Montefalco’s wine heritage. A Montefalco 2025 proved to be an exceptional celebration of this unique wine region, offering visitors the opportunity to explore not just the famous Sagrantino grape, but the full spectrum of wines that make Montefalco truly special. The event included dedicated activities for accredited journalists and industry professionals, featuring professional tasting rooms with extended hours and sommelier service, direct winery visits, the Gran Premio del Sagrantino national sommelier competition, and the presentation of the commemorative artist label for the 2021 vintage. With its comprehensive approach to regional wine presentation, the event has firmly established itself as a premier destination for wine lovers and industry professionals alike.
Winery Visits at A Montefalco 2025
Lunelli/Tenuta Castelbuono
The Winery The Lunelli family, masterminds behind four diverse siblings (Matteo, Marcello, Camilla, and Alessandro), have built an impressive portfolio spanning from their original Trentino operations to Tuscan holdings at Tenuta Podernovo. Their empire extends beyond wine to include the Michelin-starred Locanda Margon restaurant, the historic Tassoni cedrata brand acquired in 2021, and Surgiva mineral water.
The Lunellis entered Umbria in 2000, initially working with leased vineyards before acquiring Tenuta Castelbuono in 2001. Their first Sagrantino harvest came in 2003. The estate’s crown jewel is the architectural marvel “Carapace,” designed in collaboration with renowned artist Arnaldo Pomodoro between 2005-2012. This turtle shell-inspired structure symbolizes four key elements: sacred profile, longevity, deliberate process, and power. At its heart sits the circular “Ziggurat” room, an inverted cone used for private tastings.
The estate produces approximately 130,000 bottles annually from 40 hectares, focusing exclusively on red wines in Umbria. Luca D’Attoma recently took over winemaking duties from Ruben De Laurentis, who managed the operation for 11 years.
The Visit Anna Bertolini from the press office hosted our visit, where we learned about the estate’s commitment to sustainable practices. D’Attoma and the Lunellis have joined the “anima vitis” project, studying leaf canopy management to combat rising global temperatures. The 2023 vintage proved challenging, with some parcels affected by downy mildew and extreme heat events they called “heat bombs.”
Key Wines Tasted
- Ziggurat 2023 (€16): A well-balanced blend showcasing important but harmonious tannins with beautiful fruit expression
- Lampante 2021 (Montefalco Rosso Riserva): More complex than the entry level, with softer tannins and pronounced pepper notes
- Carapace 2021 (€31): The flagship Sagrantino displaying classic varietal character with damask rose aromatics
- Carapace 2017 “Lunga Attesa” (€48): The standout wine featuring 30-year-old vines, showing smoky complexity and elegant power
- Carapace 2013: Showed signs of over-extraction, lacking the typical Sagrantino character
- Tenuta Castelbuono 2005: Their first vintage, displaying beautiful harmony and elegance
Valdangius
The Winery Valdangius represents the new generation of Montefalco family wineries. Owner Danilo Antonelli works alongside winemaker Alessandro Meniconi, with daughter Jessica already participating in operations while pursuing her enology degree. This multi-generational approach reflects the estate’s commitment to both tradition and innovation.
The Visit The tasting revealed a winery still finding its identity, with some promising wines alongside others showing technical issues. The estate focuses heavily on Trebbiano Spoletino, including both still and sparkling expressions, while their red wines showed mixed results.
Key Wines Tasted
- Trebbiano Spoletino “20 Bolle” (Ancestral Method): Pleasant but lacking finesse compared to their still versions
- Trebbiano Spoletino “Campo de Pico” 2024: Their flagship white showing tropical fruit character and aging potential, though perhaps too delicate
- Trebbiano Spoletino “Campo de Pico” 2018: Displayed concerning oxidative notes that detracted from the overall experience
- Montefalco Rosso “Pippinello” 2021: Named after the owner’s father, showing promise despite some oxidative issues
- Sagrantino di Montefalco 2019: Displayed overly aggressive tannins that overshadowed the wine’s elegance
Terre de Trinci
The Winery Terre de Trinci holds a unique place in Sagrantino history as the cooperative that pioneered dry Sagrantino production. Founded in 1968, this cooperative of 100 members farms 120 hectares plus an additional 50 hectares of estate-owned vineyards. In 1972, they released the first bottles of dry (non-passito) Sagrantino di Montefalco, helping establish what would become a DOCG in 1992.
Located in Foligno rather than within Montefalco’s borders, they’re the only consortium members authorized to vinify outside the denomination’s territorial boundaries due to their historical significance. The cooperative transitioned to member ownership in 1992 after initially being managed by the local agricultural consortium.
The Visit Winemaker Nicola Marconi and his brother (marketing/communications) hosted our visit, sharing insights into both the challenges and opportunities facing Sagrantino. They’ve identified clay soils as key to producing more elegant tannins and are experimenting with seed extraction and harvest timing. The cooperative has also pioneered an eco-friendly “super bag-in-box” system for on-site retail sales, allowing customers to fill their own containers directly from large tanks.
Looking ahead, they’re refocusing marketing efforts toward former Soviet Union countries while addressing future water scarcity through planned reservoir projects.
Key Wines Tasted
- Trebbiano Spoletino 2024: A new product showing jasmine and tropical notes with excellent potential
- Montefalco Rosso 2022 (€7): Their best-seller offering excellent value with pleasant, approachable character
- Montefalco Sagrantino 2019: Showed the cooperative’s skill in taming Sagrantino’s notorious tannins
- Ugolino Montefalco Sagrantino 2018: From 50-year-old Bevagna vines, but lacking the freshness needed for balance
- Montefalco Sagrantino 2021: The best of their reds, showing more refined tannins and better fruit integration
- Rosato “Bernarda” 2024: An impressive rosé proving Sagrantino’s versatility beyond red wine production
Antonelli San Marco
The Winery One of Montefalco’s most respected family estates, Antonelli San Marco has been a benchmark producer in the region for generations. The winery is known for both innovation and respect for tradition, particularly in their work with indigenous varieties.
The Visit Rather than a traditional cellar tour, Antonelli hosted an elegant dinner paired with their wines, showcasing both their current releases and older vintages. This format allowed for a more relaxed exploration of their portfolio while demonstrating how their wines pair with local cuisine.
Key Wines Tasted
- Trebbiano Spoletino Spumante (Ancestral Method): Beautifully balanced with 24 months on lees, showing the grape’s sparkling potential
- Trebbiano Spoletino Vignatonda 2023: From a 2003-planted vineyard, amphora-fermented with tuberose and magnolia aromatics
- Montefalco Rosso 2022: The estate’s core red, displaying perfect balance of cherry, pepper, and approachable structure
- Montefalco Rosso Riserva 2021: Produced only in top years, showing serious structure with elegant tannin management
- Rosso di Montefalco 2022: A standout wine offering brilliant ruby color, clean fruit, and exceptional balance
- Montefalco Sagrantino “Chiusa di Pannone” 2008: Demonstrated the estate’s ability to age Sagrantino gracefully while maintaining varietal character
- Passito di Sagrantino: The evening’s highlight, showing perfect balance between richness and elegance without excessive sweetness
