• Arnaldo Caprai

Arnaldo Caprai

In 1971 Arnaldo Caprai, a successful textile businessman, bought the Val di Maggio estate to fulfil his dream of producing his own wine. He started off with only five hectares. As time went by he believed more and more in the great potential of the local varieties and most of all in Sagrantino. He kept buying land in the surroundings. In 1988 his son Marco Caprai started managing the winery and with his passion and determination gave the necessary impetus to the production of top quality wines. Since 1991 huge investments are driven into the acquisition of new vineyards, scientific research and technological innovation. The winery starts a collaboration with University of Milan and other Instututes of Research in order to improve the results of production. After a few years, new clones of Sagrantino are identified. the experimentation goes on both on the agronomic and enological sector. The 1993 vintage of Sagrantino di Montefalco, created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the company, makes of Marco the acclaimed new star in the Italian wine making panorama. The goal today is the same as thirty years ago. Careful and constant work aiming at excellence, research and innovation in the agronomic and enological sector, communication of the culture and identity of region. Marco Caprai strongly believed in the great opportunities that could come from such a long tradition and he translated this heritage with a modern and innovative approach. Thanks to research work and long term experimentation to produce top quality elegant wines, that show a unique character. The colour, aroma and taste of our Sagrantino will make you feel the strong character of the people who work it, the beauty of the gentle hills where it grows and the richness and complexity of the long traditions of Montefalco. The methods applied to obtain top quality grapes include different types of experimental training systems and a stable, natural and artificial cover cropping. Moreover, a more rational approach in the plant protection processes and a reduced use of nitrogenous fertilizers, together with the choice of the most suitable location for Sagrantino and all the varieties grown in the estate has proved fundamental for the production of good quality grapes. According to wine legislation, the typical cultivation area for Sagrantino di Montefalco includes the Municipality of Montefalco and part of the municipalities of Bevagna, Gualdo Cattaneo, Castel Ritaldi and Giano dell'Umbria, all situated in the province of Perugia. This grape is used in the production of the Montefalco Sagrantino D.O.C.G. and of the Montefalco Rosso D.O.C. Alone, this grape produces Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG. Blended with other grapes, it produces Rosso di Montefalco DOC. This wine is very intense ruby with purple reflections, the aroma is very persistent with typical accents of blackberries, plum and earth that are perfectly bound to the vanilla given by the wood. The taste is potent, smooth and velvety. Sagrantino is a wine that should be aged at least 10-15 years. It can also be made into a dessert wine after the grapes wither.