Variety: Cesanese

Piglio is a town of humble dwellings; Abbia Nòva was an abbey from an area where Benedictine monasteries were common; the monks would create libraries, teach agriculture, and plant vines. Today Daniele Proietti and Pierluca Proietti oversee the growth of the Cesanese and Passerina varieties, both indigenous to the Lazio region. Olive groves, medicinal herbs, walnuts and a vegetable garden are also maintained at the Abbia Nòva property. Wine is made from four different vineyards and olive oil from five different groves. San Giovanni is one of the contradas (vineyards) devoted to the Cesanese and Passerina varieties, and olive groves. Daniele and Pierluca emanate their humble farming families, a fusion of local tradition and deep culture.

Cesanese is an ancient grape variety indigenous to the Lazio region. It is not a grape variety for the faint-hearted. Though its structure is rather approachable, it has a “boar-like” gamey quality and a bitter finish, not unlike the Italian amari, balanced with sweet cranberry and pomegranate tones. It pairs exceptionally well with the regional cuisine that tends to be on the meaty side. This bottle comes from vines of volcanic soils ranging from 15-80 years old. The wine has a complex ageing journey, ageing in both oak and cement for over 20 months.