Molinetta

Among Romanelli's wines, Molinetta occupies a very special place. Together with Medeo, it represents one of the estate's two cru wines, each born from a specific parcel selected for its unique terroir expression.

The wine takes its name from an ancient mill (molinetta) located close to the vineyard. This small parcel on Colle San Clemente stands apart from the surrounding vineyards due to its unusually high proportion of sand mixed with limestone and clay soils. Romanelli recognized early on that these conditions produced a Montefalco Rosso of extraordinary finesse and longevity.

What impressed us most about Molinetta is its ability to transform in the glass. It opens with generosity and warmth, but gradually reveals the unmistakable character of Montefalco and the hidden power of Sagrantino. It is a wine that rewards patience and invites reflection.

Molinetta presents itself with a deep ruby-red color and remarkable concentration.

The bouquet is generous and layered, opening with ripe plums, blackberries and dark cherries, followed by dark chocolate, cocoa, sweet spices and subtle toasted oak. As the wine evolves in the glass, additional notes of cedar wood, leather and Mediterranean herbs emerge.

On the palate, the wine initially impresses with its richness of fruit and texture. Then, slowly and steadily, the defining character of Montefalco begins to reveal itself. The Sagrantino tannins emerge with remarkable precision, elevating the wine to another level of complexity and intensity.

The finish is extraordinarily long and persistent. The tannins gradually soften and disperse, allowing the fruit to reappear repeatedly over several minutes. Drinking Molinetta feels like embarking on a journey: climbing toward a summit and descending again without ever losing momentum or fascination.

For us, this was an unforgettable wine and one of the most compelling introductions to the greatness of Montefalco.

Pairing: Grilled red meats, roasted meats, game dishes, cured meats, truffle preparations and aged cheeses.

The story of Romanelli is inseparable from the landscape of Montefalco and from a way of farming that predates modern specialization. Located on the hills of Colle San Clemente, overlooking the valleys that stretch toward Spoleto and Trevi, the estate has developed over three generations as a mixed agricultural system in which viticulture and olive growing coexist as complementary expressions of the same land.

Founded in 1978, the Romanelli family chose from the outset to root their work in a deep understanding of their territory rather than in short-term trends. Over the decades, this approach has translated into patient observation of individual parcels, soils, microclimates, and vine behaviour, leading to a gradual refinement of both vineyard management and winemaking choices. Today, the estate encompasses approximately 30 hectares of land, including vineyards and olive groves, cultivated with a constant focus on balance, biodiversity, and long-term sustainability.

Viticulture at Romanelli is shaped by continuity rather than disruption. The vineyards are integrated into a broader rural ecosystem marked by olive trees, woodland, and open hillsides, where agricultural practices have evolved slowly over time. This context informs the estate’s preference for restrained intervention, careful manual work, and the preservation of traditional methods whenever they continue to serve quality and site expression.

A defining element of Romanelli’s philosophy is the decision to vinify and bottle grapes from specific vineyard areas separately. Decades of study of the estate’s parcels revealed meaningful differences even within short distances, encouraging a parcel-based approach aimed at highlighting distinct identities rather than blending them away. From this vision emerged the estate’s cru wines, each linked to a particular site and agricultural history.

Within this framework, the recovery of Trebbiano Spoletino holds special significance. Long cultivated in Umbria but often overlooked, this variety found renewed attention at Romanelli through the restoration of an old vineyard which is still trained using vite maritata, an ancient system in which vines grow supported by living trees. This method, once widespread in central Italy, naturally limits yields, promotes loose bunches, and supports slow, even ripening — conditions particularly well suited to a late-ripening grape such as Trebbiano Spoletino.

The decision to preserve vite maritata alongside more contemporary training systems reflects Romanelli’s broader attitude: tradition is not treated as nostalgia, but as a practical resource when it proves agronomically and qualitatively sound. This coexistence of old and modern methods defines the estate’s identity and underpins its wines.

In the cellar, the same philosophy applies. Winemaking choices are guided by the character of the grapes and the intention to allow time to play an active role in shaping the wines. Extended skin contact, late harvests, and patient ageing are employed not to pursue stylistic effect, but to translate the structure, acidity, and natural balance of the fruit into wines capable of evolving over years rather than seasons.

Romanelli’s work with wine is inseparable from its work with olive oil, another expression of the same land and seasonal rhythm. After the grape harvest, attention shifts to the olive groves, where local varieties are harvested and pressed to produce oils that mirror the estate’s agricultural values: precision, restraint, and respect for raw material.