Terra Cupa

Among Romanelli's collection, Terra Cupa belongs to the historic "Wines of Tradition", the four wines that most closely represent the estate's connection to Montefalco and its cultural heritage.

The wine takes its name from a local road that runs alongside one of Romanelli's most important Sagrantino vineyards. The name highlights the unique characteristics of this site, where altitude, exposure and the presence of clay, limestone and small pebbles contribute significantly to the wine's aromatic profile.

The visual identity of Terra Cupa is equally meaningful. Romanelli's four Wines of Tradition are inspired by the celebrated fresco of the Four Evangelists painted by Benozzo Gozzoli in Montefalco. Each wine bears one of the traditional Evangelist symbols.

Terra Cupa carries the Lion of Saint Mark, a symbol of strength, character and enduring presence. It perfectly reflects the nature of this wine: powerful yet noble, structured yet capable of extraordinary evolution with time.

Terra Cupa presents in the glass with a deep, dark ruby color approaching garnet at the rim.

The nose is layered and complex, opening with blackberries, dried sour cherries and ripe plum, followed by balsamic herbs, cedarwood, cloves, sandalwood and subtle earthy nuances. With aeration, additional notes of dark chocolate, dried flowers and spice emerge, adding depth and sophistication.

On the palate, the wine initially reveals the classic tannic grip that defines great Sagrantino. Yet with time in the glass, the structure evolves dramatically. The tannins gradually transform from dominant to supportive, allowing layers of dark fruit, blackberry preserves, sour cherry and spice to emerge.

The combination of generous alcohol, vibrant acidity and powerful tannins creates a wine of remarkable balance and longevity. Persistent, contemplative and constantly evolving, Terra Cupa rewards patience and conversation.

Pairing: Excellent with game, braised meats, grilled lamb, aged cheeses, truffle dishes, wild boar ragù and rich Umbrian cuisine.

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.