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Francesco Mariani's story is a special one; he started out as a chef who, over time, became a wine grower in Montefalco, without ever abandoning his passion for cooking. In a certain sense, this experience influenced his approach of making wine. The search for flavours of the utmost purity and truth informs his way of working the land, as well his hands-off approach in the cellar; all with the ultimate aim of complete terroir expression.
Operating under biodynamic principles, his primary aim is to cultivate authentic biodiversity while preventing the accumulation of treatments in the soil.
Francesco adopts an approach that resonates with us the most—employing spontaneous fermentation in concrete vessels, followed by aging either in concrete or old Slavonian oak. Bottling occurs without the use of fining or filtration, reflecting a commitment to patience and a methodical process akin to monastic discipline. The resulting wines speak eloquently, showcasing traditional expressions with balanced phenolics derived from meticulous farming practices. In short, these are simply well-judged wines of place—structured yet with fine extraction and harmony.
In recent years, Francesco has started to bottle outside of the appellation, feeling that the bureaucracy hinders true expressions of Montefalco.