Where is Ciro’?

Ciro’ and Ciro’ Marina are the provinces along the Ionian coast of Calabria that make up the Ciro’ Classico DOC wine region. The DOC does allow for a plethora of grape varieties in the blends (such as Cabernet and Barbera), but most winemakers in the area work with the native red varieties: Gaglioppo; Magliocco Canino; Greco Nero (or Magliocco Dolce) and white varieties: Greco Bianco; Mantonico; and Pecorello. Check out our section on the Ciro’ DOC for a more comprehensive write up on Ciro’ grape varieties and terrain.

Supporting Small Producers in Calabria

While Sicily and Puglia have seen some major turnaround in terms of wine export, tourism, and therefore an economic boost, Calabria, especially the area along the Ionian coast, still struggles. Here, the ‘Ndrangheta (an incredibly powerful organized crime group based out of Calabria) is still strong, and lo Stato (the Italian government) does not pay much mind to the territory and citizens. The last two generations were and still are encouraged to leave the region and find work abroad. Family money is often tied up in land and property, but making a living off the land is, these days, extremely difficult and not considered a respectable job. Unless, of course, you are a huge cantina (winery) that can manage high levels of production. The zone is dominated by bulk, low quality wines, or large companies that produce millions of bottles annually. There is a small group of winemakers emerging in the Ciro’ area that cultivate their own vines and produce no more than 20,000 bottle per year, some incredibly tiny vignaioli, like Gianni, produce only 2,000 bottles. This tiny group calls themselves the Ciro’ Revolution.

Viva La Rivoluzione!

This handful of winemakers in Ciro’ not only see the value in their territory, but also actively strive to spread the Ciro’ word–they are working tirelessly to change the minds of those both at home and abroad. It’s a revolution because Ciro’ wines have never been given the opportunity to thrive like those of the North. These small winemakers of the Ciro’ Revolution live the life of a farmer: they work in the fields; deal with wild animals eating their crops; track weather patterns; and are wholly at the mercy of mother nature. Whereas larger wineries might be able to purchase grapes in the event of crop devastation, these artisanal vignaioli do not necessarily have that option. It is not glamorous, but for them, it’s rewarding.

Many of the winemakers that formed the Ciro’ Revolution left their home in their youth, encouraged by their parents to make a life outside of the unforgiving landscape and socio-political-economic situation in Calabria. They, however, finding little satisfaction in their careers as architects, consulting enologists, and engineers, turned back towards home to reinvest in the land that the generations before them endlessly cultivated.

They do much more than make wine, they create community amongst themselves and the people of Calabria. Where many wine producers in this area view collaboration and working together as competition and a distraction from their own business efforts, the Ciro’ Revolution understands that to make a difference, they must work together. It’s not just about making good organic, artisanal wine, it’s about making a Calabria that can once again be a hospitable home to its people.

Francesco and Laura of ‘A Vita are at the forefront of this lotta (Italian for struggle/battle)- they make excellent wine, pay their workers well, and provide a table where people can come together and discuss current events, new projects, and of course, vino calabrese. The younger generation of winemakers in the area credit ‘A Vita and Cataldo Calabretta with helping them to re-imagine their life as a farmer and winemaker. They see possibility in their terrain and dare to dream again of making a life off their family’s land. Artisanal Calabrian wine is here, and once you’ve popped a bottle, there’s no turning back.