THE TERRITORY OF VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI DOC
AND IN PARTICULAR TENUTA DI TAVIGNANO’S TERROIR, LOCATED IN CINGOLI’S MUNICIPALITY
Tenuta di Tavignano’s territory extends for about 230 hectares in the heart of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC, an area bounded to the north-west by the Cesano river, to the south-east by the Musone river and partially identified in the middle by the paths of other two rivers: Misa and Esino. This particularly fascinating DOC includes about 2,000 hectares of vineyards, divided between almost 800 growers and producers, which gently expand from the hills at the bottom of Umbria and Marche’s Apennines to almost the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
This territory, extremely varied both from a pedoclimatic and landscape point of view, is divided into 25 municipalities, located mainly in Ancona’s province and historically called “castles” because of their role in the past in Jesi’s politics and economy. By the way, in 1194 in Jesi was born Frederick II of Swabia, father of Frederick Barbarossa. The 25 villages of the so called area “Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi” are today marked with a date or a century that indicates their origins, from the ancient Piceni civilizations and the domination by the Romans, up to the flourishing activities of the late Middle Ages.
The Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC, therefore, represents a unique territory of its kind, where the influence of its 4 rivers results not only in the hills’ shapes, given by the rivers themselves, but also in the subsoil and in the microclimates of the several subzones. In addition, the proximity to the Adriatic Sea is also strategic: with its salty air, it mitigates the continental climate typical of the Marche region. On the other hand, the presence of the Apennines gives cooler and drier breezes.
Marche are the only region with a plural name, which expresses the different characters of this varied territory. Therefore, the lands of “Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi” all together reflect the characters, histories and cultures of this special area that naturally flow into the different and multiple expressions of a unique Verdicchio, pride of Marche.
This grape variety, therefore, collects and expresses the territory of 25 Castles of Jesi and their history. It’s a wine with great aromas and sensations; structured and full-bodied, but also round and very elegant. It has a straw yellow color with evident greenish reflections, from where the name Verdicchio (“verde” means “green” in Italian), which highlight its fragrance, liveliness and a pleasant freshness. Its unique finish is unmistakable, characterized by an aftertaste of toasted almonds. Perhaps the greatest variety of native Italian white grapes, as stated by the prestigious journalist and wine critic Ian D’Agata.
Tenuta di Tavignano is located in particular in the municipality of Cingoli, “Balcony of Marche” and one of the very few castles of the DOC that are part of Macerata’s province. The sub-area is bounded by the paths of the two rivers Esino and Musone, and it is located within the Classico area. The presence of these two small “canyons” creates continuous air currents from the mountains to the sea and vice versa, which are essential for the production of top quality Verdicchio grapes. The constant ventilation, in fact, together with the altitude of about 300 m a.s.l. and the absence of fog and humidity, allows the organic cultivation of excellent Verdicchio grapes for the production of high quality, elegant and delicate wines.
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Our suggestive estate is specifically located on top of a hill with a 360° view of the surrounding landscape, in a portion of land next to the Musone river. The presence of the river’s water near our vineyards, together with the calcareous-clayey composition of the subsoil, gives a strong and recognizable minerality to the wines, while the altitude guarantees delicacy and elegance.
Among the 230 hectares of land, about 30 are planted with vineyards, divided according to the grape varieties: the vines, with an average age of around 30 years, with the exception of 6 hectares planted in 2016, differ in soil characteristics and exposure. According to the peculiarities of each parcel, the most suitable varieties were carefully selected during the planting period.
Divided into two main areas, you will find the white grape varieties on the side of the estate facing the Apennines, while on the side facing the sea the red grape varieties.
The vines are the lifeblood of our estate and to facilitate their longevity, in the beginning we have planted the vineyards with a low density of plants per each hectar.
Among the white grapes varieties there is our beloved Verdicchio, whose vineyards have the shape of an amphitheater and are oriented and exposed to the South/South-East. Among these vineyards, the small portion that overlooks the Musone river is called “Misco” and takes its name from the ancient Latin name of the river itself, which was “Miscus”. This parcel gives life to the greatest grapes of Verdicchio, best expressing the complex characters of this variety and its longevity potential.
The hill of the red grapes varieties can be distinguished not only for its color, but also for a greater presence of skeleton and rocky material in the subsoil. This particular feature is strongly linked to the fact that in the past, where now stand the vineyards, there was a stone quarry.
Respecting the land and the surrounding environment, as well as the community belonging to the territory, since 2018 the company has been certified organic in its entire production. The South-East exposure of the vineyards, the optimal ventilation of the fresh winds from the North, the position and the temperature range create an ideal microclimate for proper organic cultivation, optimal ripening and qualitative healthiness of the grapes.