Located in southwest Umbria, the charming town Orvieto is situated on the flat summit of a large butte of volcanic tuff. The city rises on top of enormous vertical walls of tuff cliffs that are completed by defensive walls built of the same stone, tufo. Inside of the citadel, there is one of the most beautiful Romanesque Gothic Cathedrals of Italy, the Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, a heroic architectural quest that took 300 years to be completed.
The town and its surroundings are the source of great food and wine productions. The microclimate around this invincible fortress favors the production of the most charming and authentic white wine of central Italy. A few hills near the historical town, noteworthy is the Palazzone Winery. Thanks to the vision and the passionate work of Giovanni e Lodovico Dubini, the estate has 25 hectares of native and international grape varieties that were planted on both sides of the Paglia river, with expectations that they would yield wine of great character and complexity. The tuffaceous soils and bedrock, characteristic of the area, not only contribute to the quality of the soil for the grapes, but are also perfect for the excavation of cellars for long aging.
Giovanni Dubini
The brothers made the first small vintage from these grapes in 1982. In 1988 their vintage was sufficient to justify the construction of a winery to process all their own grapes and also to organise and begin the commercial marketing of what is now “Palazzone” wine, regarded as one of the most significant labels in Umbria.
A great signature of the two brother’s great work to discover and enhance ancient white grapes of Umbria, the flagship grape Grechetto, Malvasia and Trebbiano (Procanico). The Campo del Guardiano (Orvieto Classico Superiore D.O.C) is a white wine capable of representing the tradition and typicality of the territory with long aging potential.
Palazzone is also a perfect place for wine enthusiasts who wish to stay in high class room retreat surrounded by spectacular vineyards facing the gorgeous town of Orvieto.
This corner of Umbria is an example of the joint power of nature and human work. A bright light of this beautiful balance is the Azienda Agricola Basili Danilo, an organic cheese farm, that has always worked in a real respect for natural cycles and the needs and welfare of animals. Danilo is the last sheep farmer in the area who still uses the traditional method of Umbrian shepherds. The love for sheep and for the hard pastoral life began for Danilo in 1975. After his work with an old shepherd in the mountains of Castelluccio di Norcia, Danilo acquired his first flock and began his adventure. His passion is strong and his methods and machinery have been consistent throughout the years. Today, with the help of his son Francesco they produce some of the most renowned productions in Umbria. The great signature of this organic farm are the Pecorino del Sasso, available in different seasoning and the fresh Ricotta del Sasso.
Danilo e Francesco Basili
The aging room