Sagrantino Wines from Montefalco, Italy

The cultivation of the Sagrantino wine grape dates back to 1549 in Montefalco. The Sagrantino name can be traced back to the “Sacrament” (from the Latin, “Sacre” meaning Sacred). The grape was cultivated by monks to produce a raisin wine used for religious rites. The wine was also enjoyed by farmers during religious feats and festivals like Easter and Christmas. This historical varietal was almost wiped out by the 1960s.

A few wine producers starting in 1979 obtained D.O.C. (Denominazione de Origine Controllata) label and then in 1992 obtaining D.O.C.G. (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Granatita). With this label, wine producers have to follow the strictest regulations possible to make the wine. The wine is tested by a committee that guarantees the geographic authenticity of the wine and its quality. Only a few Italian wines qualify for D.O.C.G. status.

Today, there are 74 wineries producing Montefalco Sagrantino. The vineyards have grown to 5 times the original size (from 122 to 660 hectares) with total production of 1,000,000 bottles per year. Consorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco  (Montefalco Consortium) is the wine producer collective which is responsible for:

• Protection the viticulture in the production zone and of the Montefalco denomination wines
• Promotion the Montefalco denomination wine
• Surveillance to prevent abuse, fraud, or irregular use of the denomination

 
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