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Falesco Winery Guide
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Last updated: November 25, 2023
Winery Overview
Saddling Umbria and Latium (Lazio in Italian), the renowned Falesco Winery defies definition. Not only is this excellent boutique winery’s regional character hard to pinpoint, but so is its style; it is at once firmly rooted in the past and dedicated to innovation. On the one hand, Falesco has a stellar reputation for its cult wines like the powerful Montiano or the pleasing Vitiano, both of which use international varieties. Still, the winery is also known for its historical rigor in recuperating ancient autochthonous varieties like Roscetto.
Run by Riccardo and Renzo Cotarella (both highly respected winemakers; Riccardo is perhaps Italy’s best-known wine consultant, and Renzo is Antinori’s wine director), the winery is set in the historic winemaking region of Montefiascone, near the shores of pretty Lake Bolsena. The cellar is in Montecchio, Umbria (about 30 miles south of historic Perugia), although the vineyards are scattered on both sides of the border. This area, hemmed in by the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and mountains to the east, offers a volcanic soil that allows many different varietals to thrive. One of Falesco’s best-known vineyards is Poggio dei Gelsi, where the ancient varietal Roscetto was identified.
Falesco originally dedicated itself to making a good and highly commercial “Est! Est!! Est!!!” white wine. Still, within a few years, it had expanded its vision and made specialty wines. Traditional fruity whites are popular these days, but the winery is even better known for its high-quality red wines like the flagship Montiano or the everyday Vitiano. Many wine lovers accredit these two wines to bestow the Latium region with a prestige it hasn’t enjoyed for centuries. Falco’s broad range means it can produce excellent luxury and value wines.
Wines produced
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Est! Est!! Est!!! Poggio dei Gelsi
Trebbiano 30%, Malvasia 30%, Roscetto 40%, 13% Alcohol. -
Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone DOC
Trebbiano, Malvasia and Roscetto blend; 12.5% Alcohol. -
Montiano
100% Merlot; 13.6% Alcohol; Aged 12 months in oak barrels. -
Vitiano
Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese; 12.9% Alcohol; Aged 3 months in oak barrels. -
Pesano Merlot dell' Umbria
100% Merlot; 13% Alcohol; Aged 5 months in barriques. -
Vitiano Blanco
Blend of Vermentino and Verdicchio; 13.1% Alcohol; Aged in stainless steel tanks for a few months. -
Ferentano
100% Roscetto; 13.5% Alcohol; Aged 3 months in barriques. -
Pomele
100% Aleatico; 10% Alcohol; minimal ageing.
Winery Contact Details
Falesco
Loc. San Pietro snc05020 Montecchio (TR)
Email: [email protected]
Tel +39 0744 9556
Fax +39 0744 951219 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone
Founded
1979
Area under Vine
50 hectares
Age of vines
Oak barrel origin
Winemaker
Stefano Valla
Owner
Riccardo and Renzo Cotarella
Production
Grape varietals
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Roscetto, Vermentino, Verdicchio, Aleatico, Trebbiano, Malvasia
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
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Malvasia
Malvasia Bianca, a historical grape from Greece, now thrives in Sicily and the Aeolian Islands, producing unique sweet wines.
Find out more -
Trebbiano
Experience Trebbiano Toscano's Renaissance: Aromatic & Fresh Bianco Toscana IGT from Petrolo. The Future of Italian White Wine
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Verdicchio
Verdicchio Wine: Italy's Fresh and Lively Whites. Discover the Crisp Elegance of Verdicchio from Marche and Veneto
Find out more -
Vermentino
Explore the Renaissance of Sardinian Vermentino: From Forgotten Grape to Crisp Elegance. Discover Now!
Find out more -
Aleatico
Aleatico is a rare red grape from central Italy, primarily used for sweet passito dessert wines, revealing floral, spicy, and red fruit flavors. It shows a Muscat-like aroma, genetically related to Muscat Blanc, Lacrima, and Sangiovese, but distinct from Greece's Liatiko. Best known from Elba, where it makes DOCG-classified wines
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Discover the irresistible allure of Cabernet Sauvignon—a worldwide favorite with robust, dark-bodied flavor. Unleash your wine journey today!
Find out more -
Merlot
Merlot is the most cultivated grape in Bordeaux and closely related to Cabernet Franc
Find out more -
Sangiovese
Unearthing Sangiovese: Italy's Ancient Grape with a Complex History. Explore its journey from Etruscans to modern-day excellence.
Find out more
Winery Appellations
Author
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More information
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