Maria Ernesta Berucci — Lazio

Maria Ernesta Berucci is a passionate and visionary winemaker in the Lazio region of Italy. Born into a family with a long history of viticulture, Maria Ernesta decided to revive her family's winemaking tradition in 2009. Working with her partner, Geminiano Montecchi, she has become a key figure in the region's natural wine movement, celebrated for her commitment to indigenous grapes and an "olo-homeopathic" approach to farming that goes beyond simple organic methods.

A Philosophy of Tradition and Rebirth

Maria Ernesta's philosophy is rooted in a deep respect for the history and heritage of her region. She believes that the ancient grape varieties of Lazio, grown on volcanic soils, produce wines of unparalleled character and purity.

  • Olo-homeopathic Farming: They go beyond organic farming, using a holistic, agro-homeopathic approach to viticulture. They apply homeopathic treatments and natural preparations to strengthen the vines' natural defenses, reducing the need for copper and sulfur and promoting a resilient ecosystem.

  • Reviving Indigenous Grapes: Her primary mission is the preservation of local grapes like Cesanese del Piglio, particularly the less common Cesanese d'Affile strain, and white grapes like Passerina and Trebbiano.

  • Low Intervention: In the cellar, their approach is as hands-off as possible. All fermentations are spontaneous with native yeasts, and they avoid fining and filtration.

  • Minimal Sulfur: Their wines are made with very little or no added sulfur dioxide (SO2​), ensuring a pure and unadulterated expression of the fruit.

The Vineyards and Terroir

The vineyards are located in the Hernican town of Piglio, at the foot of the Apennine mountains.

  • Location: The vineyards are situated in the communes of Piglio and Paliano, in the province of Frosinone, Lazio.

  • Vineyard Area: The domaine covers around 2.5 hectares.

  • Grape Varieties: She works with indigenous grapes of the region, including Cesanese del Piglio (both Cesanese Comune and Cesanese d'Affile) and Passerina del Frusinate.

  • Soils: The terroir is a mix of rocky limestone with a good deal of clay, reflecting the volcanic and ancient geological origins of the area. This unique soil composition gives her wines a distinctive mineral quality and a beautiful freshness.

Winemaking and Process

Maria Ernesta’s winemaking is a careful and precise process that honors the traditions of her region.

  • Harvest: All grapes are meticulously hand-harvested. She is known for her work in the vineyard, which is entirely done by hand, with no tractors, to avoid soil compaction.

  • Vinification: She uses a combination of concrete, wood, and amphorae for fermentation and aging. For her red wines, she often uses gentle extraction methods, including foot-trodding, to preserve the elegant structure of the Cesanese grape.

  • Aging: The wines are aged for several months to a year before being bottled, allowing them to stabilize naturally.

Signature Wines to Discover

The wines of Maria Ernesta Berucci are known for their vibrant fruit, aromatic complexity, and a distinct mineral character that reflects their terroir.

  • L'Onda: A flagship red wine, a pure Cesanese del Piglio DOCG, that showcases the elegance and aging potential of the grape.

  • Raphael: A line of wines including a white wine (Passerina del Frusinate), a rosé, and a red, all made with her signature non-interventionist style.

  • Mola da Piedi: A unique, limited-production red wine made from old vines and foot-trodden, aging in glass demijohns in the old tradition.

Address & Contact

Maria Ernesta Berucci's winery is a small, personal operation. Visits are by appointment only.

  • Address: Contrada Elcini, 1, 03010 Piglio (FR), Italy.