Az. Vinicola Falesco

From the family cantina to the Cotarella brand

The family's roots lie in Monterubiaglio in Umbria. In 1920, brothers Antonio and Domenico Cotarella began there as grape growers. In the 1960s, a small cantina was established, which served primarily for their own production. In 1979, Domenico's sons Renzo and Riccardo Cotarella founded the Falesco winery in Montefiascone in northern Lazio. Their goal was to revive historical grape varieties of the area that had almost been forgotten.

In 1999, the brothers returned to Umbria and acquired the vineyards near Montecchio and Baschi, where the Tiber and Paglia rivers meet. The Marciliano estate covers 260 hectares. The production facilities are now located in Montecchio in the province of Terni. In the mid-2010s, Dominga, Marta, and Enrica Cotarella took over the management. In 2017, the Le Macioche estate in Montalcino in Tuscany was added. The umbrella label has been called Famiglia Cotarella ever since; Falesco stands for the classic line of the house.

Old grape varieties, modern cellar technology

Riccardo Cotarella is one of Italy's most famous oenologists and advises many wineries in the country. Renzo Cotarella worked at Antinori for decades. Both bring this knowledge to Falesco. The house combines the cultivation of local varieties with modern cellar technology. Indigenous vines like Roscetto stand alongside international varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Both approaches are evident in two wines: The Poggio dei Gelsi Est!Est!!Est!!! from 1989 relies on the local Roscetto grape. The Montiano is a Merlot from a specially selected clone from Montefiascone and made the house internationally known. The vineyards are spread over the area between Lake Bolsena, Montefiascone, and Montecchio near Orvieto, right on the border of Lazio and Umbria.

Vitiano Rosso: an Umbrian red wine from three varieties

The Vitiano Rosso shows the house style in an everyday format. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese are in the blend in roughly equal parts. They grow near Montecchio and Orvieto at an altitude of about 300 meters, on clay-limestone soils. Each variety is harvested and fermented separately. The Merlot arrives at the winery at the beginning of September; Cabernet and Sangiovese follow a good three weeks later. The must remains in stainless steel and open wooden vats for about 14 days, with regular pumping over and punching down.

In the glass, you will find dark berries, cherry, and plum, along with spice and herbs. The Merlot provides roundness, the Cabernet body, and the Sangiovese freshness. This pairs well with red meat and pasta with tomato sauce. Those who want to explore the house's style further will find the wines that the house itself positions as its top wines in the Famiglia Cotarella line.