DAMIANO CIOLLI
Before Damiano took over the estate in 2001, the Ciolli had tended these vineyards in the Olevano Romano for 3 generations. His predecessors sold the grapes for bulk wine production. Damiano's vision was quite different, and he has since farmed the vineyards organically and biodynamically and focused all his efforts in making high qualtiy, artisnal wines made from the Cesanese grape. In fact, it is the only grape he cultivates. His long time partner, Leztizia, earned her PhD in grapevine physiology and winemaking- she is the other half to this incredible duo, to say the least, and is as involved in the winery as he.
The vines grow at 300-450m. The altitude, combined with the more inland position of the Olevano Romano, plus the iron rich volcanic/mineral soils, are ideal conditions for the Cesanese d’Affile grape. This variety expresses itself best with cooler nighttime temperatures and on volcanic soils.
