Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva DOCG 2022 – Classico “Rincrocca”

Overview

The Rincrocca 2022 is the pinnacle expression of Verdicchio from Staffolo, a historic vineyard in Contrada Castellaretta. Cultivated at 420 meters above sea level on 2 hectares of vines planted in 1972, the soil is clay-limestone rich in calcium carbonate and naturally saline. This terroir gives the wine elegance, structure, and minerality. With 12 months aging on fine lees in cement tanks and at least 24 months in bottle, Rincrocca 2022 balances power, freshness, and aromatic complexity.

Vineyard and Terroir

The vineyard benefits from its high altitude and unique microclimate, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The soil’s high calcium content and salinity provide distinct characteristics: aromatic intensity, crisp acidity, and strong minerality. The temperature swings between day and night further enhance complexity and elegance, making Rincrocca a Verdicchio with longevity and personality.

Vinification

Grapes are hand-harvested, gently pressed, and the must undergoes static decantation before spontaneous fermentation in cement with the pied de cuvée. The wine then ages for 12 months on fine lees in cement, preserving freshness, purity, and minerality. After bottling, it rests for at least 24 months in the bottle to reach full complexity and depth.

Tasting Notes

Rincrocca 2022 shows a bright straw yellow color with greenish reflections. On the nose, it offers aromas of yellow fruit, white flowers, and citrus, intertwined with mineral and saline notes. The palate is fresh, balanced, and savory, with an elegant and persistent texture. The finish is long and harmonious, with almond hints typical of high-quality Verdicchio.

Food Pairings and Aging Potential

Ideal with refined seafood dishes, shellfish, risottos, white meats, and aged cheeses. Rincrocca 2022 can be enjoyed young or aged in the cellar for several years, developing even greater aromatic complexity while maintaining freshness and structure.

Technical Sheet

• Denomination: Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva DOCG Classico

• Variety: 100% Verdicchio

• Vineyard: 2 ha, Contrada Castellaretta, Staffolo, 420 m a.s.l., planted 1972

• Soil: Clay-limestone, high salinity, rich in calcium carbonate

• Harvest: Manual

• Vinification: Gentle pressing, static decantation, spontaneous fermentation in cement

• Aging: 12 months on fine lees in cement + 24 months in bottle

• Alcohol: 13–13.5% vol

• Serving Temperature: 10–12 °C

La Staffa – Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi

The Winery’s Philosophy

The La Staffa winery, located in the heart of the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi appellation, is an organic estate that has become a benchmark in Marche viticulture thanks to its artisanal, rigorous, and terroir-driven production. Founded and passionately managed by Riccardo Baldi, the estate covers twelve hectares of vineyards and represents one of the most authentic and distinctive expressions of Verdicchio. The winery’s mission is to craft wines that are not only excellent in quality but also capable of telling, through aromas and flavors, the story and tradition of the Marche hills.

The Territory of Staffolo

The town of Staffolo, known as the “Balcony of Vallesina,” offers a breathtaking landscape of rolling vineyard-covered hills surrounding the medieval village. Winemaking has been deeply rooted in this area for centuries. According to local legend, the name Staffolo derives from the Greek word Staphilé, meaning grape cluster, a symbol of the land’s inseparable bond with viticulture.

Today, Staffolo is home to just over two thousand inhabitants and about twenty wineries, earning it the nickname “the Hill of Verdicchio.” Within this context, the Baldi family cultivates its vineyards with daily dedication, focusing on Verdicchio as the flagship variety, alongside small plots of Montepulciano, always respecting nature and local biodiversity.

The Vineyards and Soil Characteristics

The La Staffa vineyards are located mainly in Contrada Castellaretta (7 hectares) with additional nearby plots (5 hectares), totaling twelve hectares under vine. The vineyards sit at an altitude of 400 to 500 meters above sea level, ensuring constant ventilation, varied exposures, and significant diurnal temperature swings—all crucial factors for balanced grape ripening and the development of intense, refined aromas.

The soil is predominantly clay-limestone, rich in calcium carbonate, a key element that imparts a distinctive mineral edge and remarkable sapidity to the wines. This unique soil composition, combined with the singular microclimate of Staffolo’s hills, gives La Staffa’s Verdicchio its unmistakable personality: elegant, expressive, and built for longevity.