Damiano Ciolli 2023 Franc(o), Lazio IGT

The Wine

Short maceration, 3-4 days, and aged exclusively in concrete. Classic notes of balsamic and vegetal notes, dark fruit fragrance. Less than 1,300 cases produced. The name is a tribute to Franco Caporili, Damiano's grandfather of who provided the grapes from his last harvest.

Why Cabernet Franc from ITALY!??? Look for it to become increasingly common from many global regions. It has an amazing ability to withstand hot, dry climates that devastate many of the native grape varietals that have survived for millenia. Cabernet Franc can maintain its acidity and aromatic freshness far better than other red grape varieties. 

The Winery

Damiano Ciolli produces wines just outside the ancient city of Rome. The hilly and mountainous country is made up of mostly volcanic soil. Over the 4 generations, the Ciolli family worked the land and sold their grapes to local producers. Then, in 2001, Damiano took over the family winery and began to bottle his wines along with the support and collaboration of his longtime partner Letizia Rocchi, who earned her PhD in grapevine physiology and winemaking.

As a young man, Damiano spent much time traveling to the best vineyards of Europe tasting and examining best practices and traditional techniques.  His move back to Olevano Romano allowed him to breathe new life and winemaking experience into the centuries-old estate.

Today these vineyard lands extend over 17 acres of steep Roman hillside where all the work is done manually. The family land lies in a natural amphitheater with a Southern exposure and surrounded on all sides, a breezy 450 meters above sea level.  The Southern aspect, the deep red volcanic soils, and excellent diurnal temperature variation give the grapes perfect ripening conditions on the ancient Ciolli estate.