2022 Alberto Giacobbe Cesanese del Olevano DOC

A common story, but never old: Alberto was an accountant living in the City, disillusioned with his life, he moved back home to the countryside and rehabilitated his family's land and old vines. Why is this trajectory so common? It is different for us in the the United States, and the concept a bit out of reach because land ownership to that extent is not common, and the legacy of it being passed down for generations is really a novelty. In Italy, for the contadino (countryman, farmer), there is land- making a living off of it is another story. Yet, despite what many might consider a rough lifestyle, the choice to return to that life I've always thought of as courageous and inspiring. And revelatory- human beings are constantly in search of connection, among ourselves but also in nature. You cannot cut a human's tie from either, or he will suffer. Alberto's story is a constant reminder that Man’s connection to nature is fundamental to our existence.

Alberto reclaimed family land and converted the vineyards to organic. He also rehabilitated the old vines on the property, rather then tearing them up in search of productivity/quantity. The property covers a total area of about 15 hectares located within the municipalities of Paliano, Piglio and Olevano Romano. The Giacobbe bottling is made from vines planted in 1978 and 2005 that grow at 300m asl in calcareous clay with iron and some volcanic patches. Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel, 12 mo aging in steel. 100% Cesanese d'Affile, long considered the more quality biotype (now contested with new research by Riccardo-Reale), a textbook expression of Cesanese from the area- an interplay between dark fruits but acidic lift give the wine a rich profile without sitting heavy on the palate. Easy tannin, black cherry, violet, forest floor. Try with Pasta all' Amatriciana!