Selva di Sotto 2020 – Verdicchio Riserva DOCG Classico

A jewel from the highest vineyard in Staffolo

Selva di Sotto 2020 represents the purest expression of Verdicchio from the Castelli di Jesi. Cultivated in the highest vineyard of the municipality of Staffolo, at 500 meters above sea level, this wine is the result of old vines planted in 1974 on soils rich in clay, limestone, and sandstone. A unique terroir that gives the wine both elegance and remarkable longevity.

The territory and its essence

The area of Staffolo, known as the “Balcony of Vallesina,” offers an extraordinary microclimate: wide temperature variations, constant ventilation, and a soil rich in minerals. These factors allow Verdicchio to reach perfect ripeness while preserving freshness and aromatic complexity. Selva di Sotto embodies the authentic voice of this land.

Craftsmanship in the cellar

After hand harvesting, the grapes are gently pressed and the must ferments in cement tanks. The wine then rests on fine lees for 12 months, also in cement, a choice that preserves its purity and enhances depth and sapidity. After bottling, the wine ages further for at least 24 months in glass before being released on the market.

Elegance, longevity, and complexity

Selva di Sotto 2020 is a Verdicchio Riserva DOCG with a strong identity. Intense aromas of citrus fruits, herbs, and white flowers combine with mineral nuances and a savory backbone. On the palate, it is full-bodied, harmonious, and persistent, with a long finish that speaks of its vocation for aging.

A Verdicchio for great occasions

This Riserva pairs perfectly with refined dishes such as baked fish, shellfish, white meats, and mature cheeses. Thanks to its structure and balance, it can be enjoyed today for its freshness but also stored for years, to appreciate its extraordinary capacity for evolution.

Technical Sheet

• Region: Marche, Castelli di Jesi

• Variety: 100% Verdicchio

• Vineyard: 1.3 ha “Selva di Sotto”, Staffolo, 500 m a.s.l.

• Soil: Clay-limestone with sandstone

• Planting year: 1974

• Vinification: Cement fermentation, 12 months on lees in cement

• Aging: 12 months cement + 24 months bottle

• Alcohol: 13.5 – 14% vol

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.