Magic & Volcanic Tuscia
Podere Puellae is the small, family-run organic winery of Luca Turchetta, Virginia Crespi, and Marco D'Amato, nestled in the charming rural village of Farnese in northern Lazio, right on the border with Tuscany. This is the heart of Upper Tuscia — a land shaped by history, forests, and ancient volcanic flows, so familiar that it served as the setting for Luigi Comencini's Pinocchio, a hint that magic and storytelling come naturally here. It is an artisanal project born from a deep connection to a specific, historic terroir and a conviction that wine needs the right cellar — a place where temperature, humidity, and patience allow nature to complete its work without force or haste. The trio believes in a natural approach: no shortcuts, no synthetic inputs, just soil and time. The result is a small but highly regarded range of natural wines that have earned the attention of enthusiasts and critics who understand that Podere Puellae represents something rare: a fusion of youthful energy, organic viticulture, and an unwavering commitment to letting the volcanic soils of northern Lazio speak through indigenous varieties like Ciliegiolo, Sangiovese, and Grechetto.
Youth, Conviction & The Right Cellar
The story of Podere Puellae is a story of three young people who chose to listen — to the land, to the grapes, to the silence of a cellar where nothing is forced and everything is allowed to become what it wishes to be. Luca Turchetta is the founder and winemaker — the visionary who believed that wine has a need for the right cellar, a space where temperature and humidity create the conditions for natural transformation without intervention. Virginia Crespi is the co-founder, partner in the project from its earliest days, sharing the conviction that organic farming and patience are the only true paths to authenticity. Marco D'Amato completes the trio, bringing his own energy and commitment to a project that is as much about friendship and shared values as it is about viticulture. Together, they are not merely winemakers; they are storytellers in a landscape that has inspired magic for centuries.
The estate is located in Farnese — a charming rural village in the province of Viterbo, in northern Lazio, right on the border with Tuscany. This is Upper Tuscia, a land of extraordinary character where history, forests, and ancient volcanic flows have shaped a landscape of rare beauty and viticultural potential. Farnese is known to many as the setting for Luigi Comencini's Pinocchio — a detail that hints at the magic and storytelling that seem to emanate from the very soil. The vineyards of Podere Puellae are planted in this volcanic landscape, where the soils, the elevation, and the temperate climate create conditions of remarkable balance for indigenous varieties that have adapted to these hills over centuries.
Luca Turchetta's approach to winemaking is rooted in a deep respect for the land and a desire to produce wines that are a pure expression of their terroir. He believes that the wine needs the right cellar — not merely a storage space, but a sanctuary where temperature, humidity, and time work together to allow the wine to develop its own character without forced intervention. This philosophy extends from the vineyard to the cellar: certified organic farming practices that nurture biodiversity and soil health; spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts; and hands-off winemaking techniques that allow the wine to evolve naturally. For Luca, Virginia, and Marco, the wine is not a product to be manufactured but a living expression of the land, the season, and the grape — a reflection of the dialogue between nature, patience, and human care.
Today, Podere Puellae is recognized as one of the most exciting young producers in the Lazio natural wine scene — a winery that has earned the attention of natural wine enthusiasts, critics, and fellow producers who understand that the trio's work represents something rare: a fusion of youthful energy, organic viticulture, and an unwavering commitment to letting the volcanic soils of Upper Tuscia speak through indigenous varieties. The estate has been featured by LaVinzio, Raisin, Vivino, and a growing network of international importers and retailers who seek out wines of authenticity and place. Their wines are not merely beverages; they are stories — stories of three friends, a village of magic, a volcanic hill, and a cellar where time is the only ingredient that cannot be rushed.
"According to me, wine has a need of a right cellar, where the temperature and the humidity are the right ones to let the nature make its course."
— Luca Turchetta, Founder & Winemaker
Upper Tuscia & Volcanic Soils
Podere Puellae's vineyards are located in Farnese, in the province of Viterbo, northern Lazio — a region of extraordinary viticultural character that forms the heart of Upper Tuscia, right on the border with Tuscany. This is a land shaped by history, forests, and ancient volcanic flows — a landscape where the geology of millennia has created soils of remarkable complexity and mineral richness. The area is part of the broader volcanic province of northern Lazio, where ancient eruptions have left behind a legacy of fertile, mineral-laden earth that forces vines to dig deep, struggle, and ultimately produce grapes of greater concentration and character. The elevation, the forest shelter, and the temperate climate create a microclimate of remarkable balance: warm days that allow for full phenolic ripeness, cool nights that preserve acidity and freshness, and a constant air movement through the woodlands that keeps the vines healthy and reduces humidity-related diseases.
The terroir is shaped by the volcanic inheritance of Upper Tuscia — soils derived from ancient lava flows and volcanic deposits that have weathered over millennia into a complex mix of minerals, clays, and rocky fragments. These volcanic soils are the defining characteristic of Podere Puellae's wines, imparting a distinct mineral energy, a savory depth, and a kind of volcanic "electricity" that runs through every wine — from the most delicate white to the most structured red. The elevation of the vineyards, combined with the sheltering presence of the surrounding forests, provides crucial diurnal temperature variation that preserves acidity and freshness in the grapes. The temperate climate of northern Lazio, moderated by the proximity to Tuscany and the influence of the Tyrrhenian Sea not far to the west, creates conditions of remarkable viticultural balance.
Farming at Podere Puellae is certified organic, with a philosophy that goes beyond certification to embrace a holistic, respectful relationship with the vineyard. Luca, Virginia, and Marco do not use chemical pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers — no shortcuts, no synthetic inputs, just soil and time. They rely on natural methods to nurture the soil and protect the vines, focusing on creating a vineyard environment where beneficial insects, native plants, and natural predators thrive, creating a self-regulating ecosystem that reduces the need for intervention. The focus is on biodiversity and soil health — on allowing the vineyard to become a living, breathing organism that produces grapes of authenticity and place. The harvest is entirely manual, with rigorous selection of only the healthiest, most concentrated bunches. The trio personally oversees every aspect of the viticultural cycle, from pruning to harvest, ensuring that the grapes that enter the cellar are of the highest quality and express the unique character of the Farnese terroir.
The grape varieties are the indigenous treasures of northern Lazio and the broader Tuscia region — varieties that have adapted over centuries to the local volcanic soils, climate, and farming practices, and that produce wines of unmistakable regional character. The reds include Ciliegiolo — a native variety of remarkable freshness, bright red fruit, and elegant structure that is the backbone of the estate's most celebrated wine, Tramontana — and Sangiovese, the great Tuscan grape that has found a natural home just across the regional border in the similar soils and climate of Upper Tuscia. The whites include Grechetto — a traditional variety of central Italy, prized for its body, texture, and ability to express mineral terroir — and other local varieties that complete the portfolio. Together, these varieties form the backbone of Podere Puellae's range — each one expressing a different facet of the volcanic Tuscia terroir, each one a pure, unadorned expression of place and the patient, organic farming that nurtures it.
Farnese, province of Viterbo, northern Lazio. Right on the border with Tuscany. Heart of Upper Tuscia — land shaped by history, forests, and ancient volcanic flows. Charming rural village known as setting for Luigi Comencini's Pinocchio. Temperate climate with forest shelter and elevation. Warm days, cool nights, constant woodland breezes. Extraordinary viticultural potential recognized by young, visionary producers.
Ancient volcanic flows and deposits — lava, ash, and mineral-rich earth weathered over millennia. Complex mix of minerals, clays, and rocky fragments. Excellent drainage forces deep root systems. Imparts distinct mineral energy, savory depth, volcanic "electricity." Forest-moderated microclimate reduces humidity and disease. Fertile yet challenging soils that produce grapes of concentration and character.
Certified organic farming with holistic philosophy. No chemical pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. No shortcuts, no synthetic inputs — just soil and time. Focus on biodiversity and healthy ecosystem. Beneficial insects, native plants, natural predators. Self-regulating vineyard environment. Manual harvest with rigorous selection. Luca, Virginia, and Marco personally oversee every aspect of viticulture. Respect for land as living organism.
Red — Ciliegiolo (native, bright red fruit, freshness, elegant structure, backbone of Tramontana), Sangiovese (great Tuscan grape, adapted to similar volcanic soils across the border). White — Grechetto (traditional central Italian, body, texture, mineral expression). Other local varieties completing the portfolio. All indigenous or traditionally cultivated, adapted to local soils and climate. Hand-harvested with rigorous selection.
Spontaneous Fermentation & Patient Ageing
At Podere Puellae, the cellar is an extension of the vineyard — a place where the organic, patient approach of the field is translated into liquid form. Luca Turchetta is the master of the cellar, a winemaker of profound conviction who believes that wine needs the right environment to develop — not temperature control, not chemical additions, not forced acceleration, but the right temperature, the right humidity, and the right amount of time. The philosophy is absolute: spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no added sulfur, no fining, no filtration, and an extended ageing period that allows the wine to reach balance and maturity before release. The result is a range of wines that are alive, authentic, and deeply expressive — wines that change from vintage to vintage, from cuvée to cuvée, and that reward the patience of both the winemaker and the drinker.
The techniques are minimal, respectful, and deeply informed by Luca's commitment to natural expression. Fermentation occurs spontaneously, driven by indigenous yeasts that live in the vineyard and the cellar — no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. The wines are unfined and unfiltered, preserving their natural textures, living yeasts, and authentic flavors. Sulfur is kept to an absolute minimum or eliminated entirely, allowing the wine's natural character to shine without the masking influence of chemical preservatives. The ageing is extended and patient: reserve wines like Tramontana spend at least 12 months in tank and a minimum of 12 months in bottle before release — a total of two years or more of careful, quiet maturation that allows the wine to develop structure, aromatic depth, and harmony. This is not a commercial decision; it is a philosophical one — a belief that wine cannot be rushed, that nature's timeline is the only one that matters, and that the right cellar is the one that allows this timeline to unfold undisturbed.
"Tramontana" — The Signature Ciliegiolo: The Tramontana is Podere Puellae's most celebrated and distinctive wine — the signature red that encapsulates everything Luca Turchetta, Virginia Crespi, and Marco D'Amato believe about organic viticulture, natural winemaking, and the transformative power of patience, respect, and minimal intervention. It is not merely a red wine; it is a testament to the beauty of Ciliegiolo when grown on volcanic soils, the courage of young viticulturists who chose transparency over trend, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land without excessive intervention. Named after the Tramontana — the cool northern wind that naturally "combs" the vineyards of Farnese — it is a pure expression of Ciliegiolo, a native variety of remarkable freshness, bright red fruit, and elegant structure. The grapes are hand-harvested from the estate's organic vineyards, fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts, and aged for at least 12 months in tank followed by a minimum of 12 months in bottle — unfined, unfiltered, with no added sulfur. In the glass, it is bright ruby red with vivid violet reflections. The nose offers complex and layered aromas dominated by fresh red fruits and subtle floral and spicy nuances. The palate is structured and full-bodied, with a solid core, balanced tannins, and a clean, dry finish that combines intensity with elegance, maintaining freshness and precision throughout. It is a wine of great personality — the quintessential expression of volcanic Ciliegiolo. Serve at 16–18°C. 3–5 years ageing potential. ~$22–$32 / ~€20–€30.
"Lago" — The Field Blend Red: The Lago is Podere Puellae's expressive field blend — a wine that captures the diversity and complexity of the estate's vineyards through a blend of Grechetto, Ciliegiolo, and Sangiovese. It is a wine of spontaneity and place, made from grapes that grow together in the same volcanic soils and are harvested, fermented, and aged as a reflection of the vineyard's natural composition rather than a predetermined recipe. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged with minimal intervention, it is a lighter, more immediate expression than the structured Tramontana — a wine of bright fruit, fresh acidity, and volcanic minerality that speaks of the Upper Tuscia terroir in a more playful, accessible voice. In the glass, it is bright ruby with garnet reflections. The nose offers red cherry, wild strawberry, violet, and a distinct earthy, mineral note. The palate is medium-bodied, with lively acidity, soft tannins, and a clean, fruity finish. It is a wine of everyday pleasure — perfect with simple pasta dishes, grilled vegetables, or a casual evening with friends. Serve at 14–16°C. Drink within 2–4 years. ~$18–$26 / ~€16–€24.
"Naïf" — The Sangiovese Rosé: The Naïf is Podere Puellae's rosé — a pure expression of Sangiovese made with a brief period of skin contact that captures the variety's natural brightness, red fruit character, and acidic freshness in a lighter, more summery form. The name evokes the innocent, uncomplicated pleasure of a well-made rosé — a wine that does not demand analysis but simply invites enjoyment. Made from organically grown Sangiovese, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and bottled without fining or filtration, it is a wine of immediacy and charm. In the glass, it is pale salmon with copper reflections. The nose offers wild strawberry, rose petal, citrus zest, and a hint of volcanic minerality. The palate is light-bodied, with crisp acidity, delicate tannins, and a refreshing, clean finish. It is the perfect aperitif — a wine that captures the playful, convivial side of Podere Puellae. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. Drink young. ~$16–$22 / ~€14–€20.
"Tarassaco" — The Grechetto White: The Tarassaco is Podere Puellae's white wine — a pure expression of Grechetto, a traditional variety of central Italy prized for its body, texture, and ability to express the mineral character of volcanic terroir. Named after the dandelion (tarassaco in Italian) — a symbol of resilience and wild beauty that thrives in the vineyards of Farnese — it is a wine that captures the estate's commitment to indigenous varieties and natural expression. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged with minimal intervention, it is a wine of substance and freshness — fuller-bodied than many whites, with a waxy texture and a distinct mineral backbone that speaks of the volcanic soils from which it comes. In the glass, it is pale straw with greenish reflections. The nose offers white flowers, green apple, almond, and a distinct stony, mineral note. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with crisp acidity, a textured mouthfeel, and a long, savory, mineral finish. It is a wine of both immediacy and depth — perfect with seafood, rich pasta dishes, or aged cheeses. Serve at 10–12°C. Drink within 2–3 years. ~$18–$26 / ~€16–€24.
"Evaso" — The Experimental Cuvée: The Evaso is Podere Puellae's experimental wine — a cuvée that showcases the trio's willingness to push boundaries and explore new expressions of their volcanic terroir. While details vary by vintage, it typically represents a different approach, a different blend, or a different vessel that produces a wine with its own distinct personality. It is a testament to Luca, Virginia, and Marco's curiosity and their refusal to be bound by convention — a wine that proves that even within the framework of natural winemaking and organic farming, there is room for exploration, intuition, and surprise. Serve at 14–16°C. Drink within 2–4 years. ~$20–$28 / ~€18–€26.
"Damagione" — The Bold Red: The Damagione is Podere Puellae's bolder, more structured red — a wine that captures the deeper, more powerful side of Sangiovese and Ciliegiolo grown on volcanic soils. It is a wine of greater extraction, longer maceration, and more intense character than the lighter Lago — a wine for those who seek depth, complexity, and the kind of volcanic power that only patient ageing can tame. Fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged for an extended period before release, it is unfined, unfiltered, and made with minimal sulfur. In the glass, it is deep ruby with purple reflections. The nose offers dark cherry, plum, blackberry, violet, and a distinct smoky, earthy note. The palate is full-bodied, with firm tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, savory, mineral finish. It is a wine of great ageing potential — a wine that rewards patience in the cellar and contemplation in the glass. Serve at 16–18°C. 5–8 years ageing potential. ~$24–$35 / ~€22–€32.
Vessels & Ageing: Podere Puellae works with a variety of vessels — stainless steel tanks, old wooden barrels, and other containers — each chosen according to the wine, the vintage, and Luca's intuition. There is no single formula; the choice of vessel is always made in service of the wine's natural expression, not in pursuit of a house style. The stainless steel preserves freshness, primary fruit, and vibrant acidity — essential for the delicate aromatics of Grechetto and the bright fruit of Naïf. The old wood adds subtle complexity and allows for gentle oxygen exchange without imposing oak flavors on the more structured reds like Tramontana and Damagione. All wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, unfined and unfiltered, with minimal or no sulfur added — preserving their natural textures, living yeasts, and authentic flavors. The cellar itself is the heart of the estate — a cool, damp, atmospheric space where the wines evolve slowly, protected from the extremes of the Lazio climate, allowed to develop on their own schedule, and released only when they have reached balance and maturity. This is Luca's great conviction: that the right cellar, with the right temperature and humidity, is the only intervention that wine truly needs.
"Tramontana" — "100% Ciliegiolo — Hand-Harvested from Organic Volcanic Vineyards in Farnese, Indigenous Yeast Fermentation, Aged Minimum 12 Months in Tank + 12 Months in Bottle, Unfined, Unfiltered, No Added Sulfur — The Signature Ciliegiolo of Upper Tuscia"
The Tramontana is Podere Puellae's most celebrated and distinctive wine — the signature red that encapsulates everything Luca Turchetta, Virginia Crespi, and Marco D'Amato believe about organic viticulture, natural winemaking, and the transformative power of patience, respect, and minimal intervention. It is not merely a red wine; it is a testament to the beauty of Ciliegiolo when grown on volcanic soils in the heart of Upper Tuscia, the courage of young viticulturists who chose transparency over trend, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land without excessive intervention. Named after the Tramontana — the cool northern wind that naturally "combs" the vineyards of Farnese, shaping the vines and the character of the grapes — it is a pure, unadorned expression of one of Lazio's most beloved indigenous varieties.
The viticulture is certified organic. No chemical pesticides, no synthetic herbicides, no artificial fertilizers. No shortcuts, no synthetic inputs — just soil and time. Luca, Virginia, and Marco focus on maintaining a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem in the vineyard — creating an environment where beneficial insects, native plants, and natural predators thrive, forming a self-regulating system that reduces the need for intervention. The harvest is entirely manual, with rigorous selection of only the healthiest, most concentrated bunches — each one picked by hand from vines planted on the ancient volcanic soils of Farnese.
In the cellar, the Ciliegiolo grapes are fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts — no commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. The wine is aged for at least 12 months in tank, followed by a minimum of 12 months in bottle — a total of two years or more of quiet, patient maturation that allows the wine to develop structure, aromatic depth, and harmony. No fining, no filtration. No added sulfur. The result is a wine that is alive, authentic, and deeply connected to the place from which it comes — a wine that proves Luca's conviction that the right cellar, with the right temperature and humidity, is the only true intervention that wine needs.
In the glass, it is bright ruby red with vivid violet reflections — alive, vibrant, authentic. The nose is complex and layered, dominated by fresh red fruits — cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry — and subtle floral and spicy nuances that evolve with aeration. There are notes of violet, dried herbs, and a distinct volcanic, earthy minerality that speaks of the soils of Upper Tuscia. The palate is structured and full-bodied, with a solid core, balanced tannins, and a clean, dry finish that combines intensity with elegance, maintaining freshness and precision throughout the tasting experience. It is a wine of great personality — a wine that proves Ciliegiolo, when grown organically on volcanic soils and made with patience and zero intervention, can produce reds of both immediacy and profound depth, of both pleasure and intellectual challenge.
The Tramontana is a wine of the table and the mind — it pairs beautifully with rich pasta dishes, roasted meats, aged cheeses, grilled vegetables, or simply with good bread and olive oil. Serve at 16–18°C. It will reward 3–5 years of cellaring, developing more dried fruit, tobacco, and mineral complexity. Every bottle is a testament to the power of volcanic terroir, the beauty of Ciliegiolo, and the enduring magic of wines that honor the land, the wind, and the patience of a right cellar. ~$22–$32 / ~€20–€30.
The Podere Puellae Range
Luca Turchetta, Virginia Crespi, and Marco D'Amato produce a small, organic, natural portfolio from their vineyards in Farnese, Upper Tuscia, northern Lazio. All wines are estate-grown, hand-harvested, and made with indigenous yeasts. No commercial yeasts, no enzymes, no additives. No fining, no filtration. Minimal or zero sulfur. Fermented and aged in a variety of vessels — stainless steel, old wood, and other containers — chosen to preserve natural character and terroir expression. Reserve wines like Tramontana are aged for a minimum of 12 months in tank plus 12 months in bottle before release. The portfolio includes reds, a white, and a rosé — each one a pure, honest expression of the volcanic Farnese terroir and the trio's commitment to organic farming and patient, cellar-driven winemaking. Prices are approximate and in USD/EUR.
Podere Puellae produces a small, organic, natural portfolio from its vineyards in Farnese, Upper Tuscia, northern Lazio. All wines are hand-harvested and made with indigenous yeasts. No fining, no filtration, minimal or zero sulfur. Vessels vary by vintage and cuvée: stainless steel, old wood, and other containers. Reserve wines like Tramontana are aged for a minimum of 12 months in tank plus 12 months in bottle before release. The portfolio is focused and authentic — Ciliegiolo, Sangiovese, Grechetto, and other indigenous varieties expressing the volcanic character of northern Lazio. Availability is limited due to the small scale and natural production methods. Contact the winery directly or visit LaVinzio, Raisin, Vivino, and select natural wine retailers for availability. Visits by appointment.
Contact
Phone Number: +39 338 624 5508
Email: podere.puellae@gmail.com