Chiara Condello, Predappio

Nestled in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, Predappio is a town often overshadowed by its association with fascism and Mussolini. However, a new generation of winemakers is working to rewrite the narrative and showcase the region's rich agricultural heritage.

One such trailblazer is Chiara Condello, a young oenologist who traded a promising corporate career in Milan to return to her family's estate, Condé, and pursue her passion for winemaking. Under the tutelage of renowned viticulturist Giulio Gambelli, Chiara honed her skills and completed her studies in viticulture and oenology.

In 2015, Chiara's story took an unexpected turn when the owner of her neighboring vineyards decided to uproot the old vines. Unwilling to let this precious resource go to waste, Chiara seized the opportunity and purchased the land, laying the foundation for her own winery, Chiara Condello.

Predappio's untouched natural landscape has allowed Chiara to guarantee 100% preservation of biodiversity in her vineyards. Her commitment to sustainable practices is reflected in the three distinct labels she currently produces, each showcasing the unique terroir of the region:

  1. Sangiovese Romagna: An assemblage of three separate vineyard sites, each with a rich clay soil profile, that captures the essence of the Sangiovese grape.
  2. Le Lucciole Riserva: A single-vineyard wine from the "Le Lucciole" ("The Fireflies") site, characterized by high pH and marine sediments, that offers a captivating expression of the local Sangiovese di Predappio clone.
  3. Lo Stralisco: A 100% whole-cluster wine, produced only in the best years, from the Le Lucciole vineyards, showcasing the potential of this unique terroir.

Chiara's focus on the Sangiovese di Predappio clone, which produces smaller and more dispersed berries with thicker skins compared to its Tuscan counterparts, has led to a distinctive style of wine. At the winery, she employs whole-berry fermentation in open-top conical vats (Tino), a technique that minimizes extraction while preserving the primary aromas. The Tino's aerobic environment, combined with frequent pump-overs, helps to minimize reduction in the Sangiovese.

By embracing the unique terroir of Predappio and championing the region's forgotten viticulture, Chiara Condello is rewriting the history of this once-overlooked town, showcasing its potential for exceptional, terroir-driven wines that are capturing the attention of discerning wine enthusiasts around the world.