Palazzone
BACKGROUND
In 1969, the Dubini family bought the property “Palazzone”, constructed by Cardinal Teodorico at the bidding of Pope Boniface VIII as a hostel for pilgrims on their way to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of 1300 A.D. Today, after a restoration with respect for the noble architecture, “Palazzone” is a boutique hotel with elegant suites.
Originally, the hilly portion of the land adjacent to Rocca Ripesena, with its superb view of Orvieto on its majestic crag, consisted of sedimentary soil and clay only. Angelo Dubini decided to plant 25 hectares of vines with varietals that he expected would make wine of great complexity and character. In 1982, his two sons, Giovanni and Lodovico, made the first small vintage from these grapes. In 1988, their vintage was sufficient to justify the construction of a winery to process all their own grapes and also to organize and begin the commercial marketing of what is now “Palazzone” wine, regarded as one of the most significant labels in Umbria
The Dubini family has taken on the responsibility of “Palazzone”, with its stark beauty and outstanding potential. It persuaded the family that Orvieto was a challenge to overcome, a card to play in total contrast with the market and with fashion.
The vocation of the place, the history of the city and its region are the aspects that have given strength to their choices.
The Terroir
The family works closely together. They know that to live and work at Palazzone is a privilege, and this feeling becomes a certainty when things get tough.
They are passionate about the idea that the profile of a white wine from central Italy can be developed: graceful yet incisive, Mediterranean and at the same time with a closed structure.
The grapes from Orvieto do not have the solar expressiveness of some “easy” grapes and so their margins of improvement are not so immediate, so the work in the vineyard relies on continuity rather than miraculous choices.
They wanted to try the temptation of an “important” red, therefore, the Armaleo was born, which will certainly remain a beautiful experience, from which they have learned, however, that to remain attached to the territory, the indigenous grapes are the primary goal.
For this reason they will invest their energies on Sangiovese, knowing that the journey will be challenging, as it is to dedicate to the Orvieto.
“Being at Palazzone means facing difficult challenges, it seems the only way to reward the place we chose.”
THE WINE
vignarco orvieto classico DOC
Straw color, it has fresh fruit flavors with a slightly sapid palate. Fresh and charming white for every day drinking.
Production zone: Orvieto Classico DOC
Grape variety: 50% Procanico, 30% Grechetto, 20% Verdello and Malvasia
Vineyard: Made from the youngest vineyards..
Vinification: A loose pressing of grapes. Fermented in stainless steel casks for 20 days at a controlled temperature.
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terre vineate orvieto
classico superiore DOC
Intense straw color with an elegant nose that gradually releases a vivid scent of white fruit. On the palate, the impact is dense and dry, recalling the bouquet while perfectly balancing the tart finish.
Production zone: Orvieto Classico Superiore DOC
Grape variety: 50% Procanico, 30% Grechetto, 20% Verdello and Malvasia
Vineyard: Select estate vineyards. East exposure. Hilly. Specific plots of the Palazzone vineyards are used, where optimal exposure yields the best grape bunches.
Altitude: 240-260 MT
Soil: Sedimentary clay.
Vinification: Soft pressing of whole grapes. Fermented for 20 days at a controlled temperature in stainless steel.
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campo del guardiano
classico superiore DOC
Intense straw color with sharp green reflections. The nose is profound, refined, and prolonged. On the palate, silky and well structured, vibrant, and persistent. The complexity, the aromas, and the freshness of the fruit remain intact for years proving the wine’s astonishing capacity to age beautifully.
Production zone: Orvieto Classico Superiore DOC
Grape variety: 50% Procanico, 30% Grechetto, 20% Verdello and Malvasia
Vineyard: Campo del Guardiano. This wine comes from the most beautiful piece of land on the estate, renown to generations of local farmers as Campo del Guardiano.
Altitude: 300 MT
Soil: Sedimentary clay.
Vinification: Soft pressing of whole grapes. Fermented for 20 days at a controlled temperature in stainless steel.
Aging: Bottles cellared for 18 months.
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musco
classico superiore DOC
This wine is of a deep, bright, golden color. It has a fascinating and complex nose of ripe yellow fruit, almond, candied citrus peel, dried citrus, chestnut honey, and herbs. The palate is structured and silky softy with a long sour and slightly tangy finish. Produced without electricity this wine matures and refined for several months following traditional techniques.
Grape variety: 50% Procanico, 30% Verdello, 20% Malvasia
Vineyard: “Musco” was born from a small vineyard planted with Procanico, Verdello, and Malvasis grapes mixed in rows.
Altitude: 350 MT
Soil: Sedimentary clay.
Yield: 60 quintale per hectare
Vinification: Picked by hand. The must is macerated with the skins for 4-6 days in open vats of chestnut without punching. The pressing is carried out with the aid of an old press. The fermentation with natural yeasts takes place spontaneously in chestnut barrels slowly for 1-2 months.
Aging: The wine is aged 1 year in chestnut barrels and 8 months in glass demijohns before finally placing the the wine in bottles by hand and horizontally storing them in the tufo cave.
Production: 1600 Numbered bottles
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