Textured and lively Passerina by organic female Lazio grower, Antonella Consilia Volpe.
Viticulture
Vinification
Rapillo is an organic farm located in Serrone in the heart of the Ciociaria 350 meters above sea level between the Valle del Latini and the Arcinazzo plateaus. This is a scraggy nearly inhospitable volcanic terrain — in fact its name means ‘serrated’ — not conveniently located near an Autostrada nor near anyone’s beaten path really. The soil ranges from terra rossa to sand and limestone. They are growing their local grapes, Cesanese and Passerina. This is a true “vino del contadino” which means “farmer’s wine”! 35-year old vines with whole cluster light maceration and spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts and bottling with minimal sulfites.
Lazio is a region rich in history, starting with Rome, with what it has left us and what it continues to represent: the former capital of the Roman Empire, then the heart of Christianity with its St Peter’s Square and papal seat.
But Lazio is not only Rome: it is also the land of historic churches and abbeys scattered over the territory, of large and small historic centres and picturesque villages, of the consular roads that radiate out from Rome to the rest of Italy, crossing Lazio and its landscapes.The area is truly waiting to be discovered, with lakes, mountains, beaches and beautiful countryside in the shadow of ancient aqueducts and manors.
Serrone is located east of Rome, on the slopes of Mount Scalambra overlooking the Sacco Valley. It owes its name to ‘serroni’ i.e. the steep slopes of the Ernici mountains.
(Sources: www.italia.it, www.discoverplaces.travel)
