Predappio Alta is an ancient medieval village whose origins are rooted in a small Roman stronghold aiming at controlling the exchange of goods, notably salt which was traded from the salt-works in Cervia to Florence passing the Apennines.
The inhabitants of the village only had two ways of making their living in that hill: growing and producing Sangiovese or mining sulfur. When not working in the vineyard they’d use sledgehammer and pickax to mine that precious mineral.
My family is fully representative of this terroir. The Nicoluccis have been growing vines since 1885 and are the standard-bearers of this ancient tradition; the municipal statutes dating back to 1383 show how much attention and care were paid to Bacchus’ trees.
I’m a fourth generation wine-maker and to honor the work and sacrifices of those who came before me (“I’ve to remind you it’s not easy to get by just on wine-growing and producing in Romagna, especially in the hills” ) I’ve reached the decision of dedicating a wine to my grand-father Amedeo Nicolucci, who walking once into the Vigna del Generale -the best vineyard in Predappio Alta- thought “I’ve gotta be here”.
My grand-father Amedeo bought the historic General’s vineyard soon after WW1. The owner was indeed a general -a Lieutenant Generalwho was used to hang out in his vineyards escorted by his faithful wolf, a puppy he had found among the vines and raised. (Hence the label …).
This vineyard is the Grand Cru of my estate: 9 times rewarded with “Three Glasses” by the Gambero Rosso; “4 Vines” by the Italian Association of Sommeliers; 90/100 on the international Vinitaly 2019 guide, “Top Wine e Vino Slow” Slow wine guide, just to mention a few.
It’s always been regarded by the old folks in the village as the most suitable soil for growing vines: harsh, poor, where sulfur was once dug. Here we hand-pick the grapes – only from the very best vines to make this rare and outstanding Sangiovese.
It isn’t just a wine: it’s history, tradition, devotion, sacrifice, expectation, love …
