Velenosi

From nine hectares to the voice of the brands

Angela and Ercole Velenosi were just twenty years old when they built a winery from scratch in Ascoli Piceno in 1984. Nine hectares of vineyards, two wines, little capital — and the firm will to give the oenology of their region new weight. Like many startups of that time, they used a state funding program intended to lure young people from the cities back into agriculture. What came of it exceeded every plan at the time. In 2005, Paolo Garbini joined as a partner, and Velenosi Srl was born. Angela Velenosi took over the chair of the Consorzio di Tutela Vini Piceni in 2014 and represented the brands at the World Expo in Milan in 2015 — two milestones that show how far the winery has reached beyond its own walls.

Clay soil, Adriatic wind, and the patience of craftsmanship

The heart of the operation lies in Ascoli Piceno, about 20 kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, at an altitude of 150 to 200 meters. The vineyards stretch across several locations: Castorano, Monsampolo del Tronto, and Castel di Lama in the Piceno, plus sites near San Marcello in the province of Ancona near the Castelli di Jesi, as well as a vineyard in Ancarano in the Abruzzo region. What connects these locations are the clay-rich, calcareous soils in the valley of the Tronto River and a climate that combines Mediterranean warmth during the day with cooling at night from Apennine and sea breezes. These temperature differences slow down ripening and preserve freshness and aromatic precision.

Regarding cellar work, Velenosi openly commits to a coexistence of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. Their own philosophy describes it simply: not short, not long, but natural times — as long as a well-made wine needs. Around 2.5 million bottles leave the winery every year and go to more than 50 countries. The fact that quality and volume are not a contradiction is considered the real proof of the concept.

Native grape varieties, clear signature

Velenosi consistently focuses on the lead grape varieties of the brands: Montepulciano and Sangiovese for the red appellations of the Piceno, Pecorino and Passerina for the whites, plus the rare Lacrima di Morro d'Alba from the north of the region. The range in the shop reflects this breadth: the Brecciarolo Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC and the Roggio del Filare stand for the structured, age-worthy red wine type of the house — Montepulciano-dominated cuvées with depth and length. With the Ludi Offida Rosso DOCG, Velenosi moves in the premier class of the red Piceno appellations. On the white side, the Rêve Pecorino Offida DOCG shows what the revived Pecorino variety can achieve in the hills around Offida. Finally, the Querci Antica Lacrima di Morro d'Alba DOC is proof that Velenosi also stands for the discovery of little-known grape varieties — the Lacrima is considered one of the most unusual varieties in Central Italy due to its floral, almost violet-like aroma profile.