Grigio – Piana dei Castelli

A Pinot Grigio That Defies Every Convention

Grigio is one of the most surprising and radical interpretations from Piana dei Castelli. It is a skin-contact Pinot Grigio that purely expresses the energy of the volcanic soils of the Castelli Romani. The project stems from the desire to free the grape variety from any production clichés, revealing a wine that powerfully tells the story of its land through natural vinification techniques and extremely slow, respectful aging.

Vineyard

The grapes come from selected plots located on the volcanic soils that characterize the area of Velletri and surrounding towns. Here, basalt and pozzolana grant the vines extraordinary vitality and a distinct mineral signature. Cultivation follows organic and biodynamic practices, without the use of herbicides or pesticides, fully respecting the natural rhythms of the vines.

Vinification

Grigio ferments spontaneously in cement vats, without any addition of selected yeasts. The prolonged skin contact allows the extraction of color, structure, and aromatic complexity, transforming the Pinot Grigio into a wine of rare expressive intensity. After fermentation, the wine rests for about three years, again in cement, without undergoing filtration or clarification. This long wait refines Grigio’s profile, making it mature, complex, and deeply identity-driven.

Tasting Notes

In the glass, it shows a brilliant onion-skin color, a distinctive sign of the skin-contact process. The nose is rich in suggestions: small red berries, candied citrus fruits, medicinal herbs, and a very fine floral hint. On the palate, it is soft and enveloping, with excellent freshness supporting an elegant structure and a mineral, persistent finish.

Food Pairings

Grigio shines alongside elaborate vegetarian dishes, fresh or aged cheeses, light white meats, and lean fish baked or grilled. It is also excellent with charcuterie starters, thanks to its vibrant acidity that balances fatty components.

Technical Sheet

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio

• Production Area: Velletri and neighboring towns, Lazio

• Soil: Basalt, pozzolana, clay

• Farming: Certified organic and biodynamic

• Fermentation: Spontaneous with indigenous yeasts

• Maceration: Prolonged on the skins

• Aging: 3 years in cement vats

• Alcohol Content: 13%

• Serving Temperature: 12–14 °C

See all products of Piana dei Castelli

Piana dei Castelli – Velletri, Lazio

📜 History and Philosophy

The Ceracchi family has been active in the wine sector since the early 19th century in Velletri, in the heart of the Castelli Romani. Matteo Ceracchi, an oenologist trained in San Michele all’Adige, founded Piana dei Castelli as an independent project, combining family tradition and personal experimentation. The winery spans eleven municipalities, with vineyards located at various altitudes on volcanic soils rich in basalt and tuff.

🌱 Viticulture and Winemaking

The winery adopts biodynamic and organic practices, avoiding the use of chemical products. In the cellar, fermentations are spontaneous, without the use of selected yeasts, and the use of sulfites is minimal. The goal is to produce wines that reflect the authenticity of the territory and the cultivated grape varieties.

🍇 Cultivated Grapes

Piana dei Castelli cultivates a variety of indigenous and international grape varieties, including:

• Indigenous varieties: Grechetto, Cesanese, Malvasia Puntinata, Sangiovese, Trebbiano Giallo.

• International varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Merlot, Montepulciano, Pinot Grigio.

🍷 Distinctive Wines

Among the wines produced:

• Follia Bianco: a blend of white varieties, vinified in concrete.

• 3 Trebbiano: Trebbiano Giallo, vinified and aged in concrete.

• Rosso: a red wine from local varieties, spontaneously fermented.

• Out Rosé: a fresh and fruity rosé.