Il Cerchio
« The Organic farming is the only way to sustain / protect our ecosystem and our vineyard. »
Il Cerchio is a small family winery (9-hectares) founded in 1988 by Corinna Vicenzi and farmed organically. It is located outside the village of Capalbio, in the South of Tuscany, Maremma.
It currently Il Cerchio has 1,5 acres of olive groves, pastures, a small forest and 3 hectares of vines in production. Two additional hectares have been planted last year and, there will be no more after that because C. Vicenzi absolutely wants to continue to manage everything just with her son Beniamno. Currently the vineyard is planted with Vermentino, Ansonica, Sangiovese and Alicante. Each year the property produces about 16.000 bottles.
Focus on Corinna Vicenzi, owner-winemaker of “Il Cerchio“
“My father always taught me to taste / love good wine. I love this world of wine!I have not always had the idea, the desire to come here to work in a vineyard. The idea germinated gradually. Today I am passionate about what I do, as the winemaker. I put some of my heart in each of the wines I make.
I have long lived in Milan. There I studied languages and I worked in an architectural studio where I met my husband. During the holidays we often went down to Capalbio (Maremma) especially for the lifestyle it offers. We quickly fell in love with this region to the point that we looked for a house with the goal of coming here to spend our retirement.
We quickly found a home in Capalbio but soon we sold it to acquire this property. Soon the idea and desire to take care of the vineyard that was present came about. I bacame passionate about the vines and the region little by little. Until 1992 I combined my work in Milan and maintaining the vineyard taking me back and forth to the vineyard. Initially there was only one hectare of vines and one hectar of olive trees.
It was more round trips and it was hard to get to Milan and at the end of the primary school of my son we came here, I took care of the vineyard / property while my husband, he preferred to continue working in architecture. I improved my knoweldge as a winemaker through readings, lectures and help / advice provided by the former owner as well as relating with friends like Matthieu Taunay (winemaker / oenologist MONTEVERRO).
My son began graduate studies in audiovisual / cinema / TV. At first he followed his studies and came back down from time to time to help me during the busiest periods (grape harvest, winemaking …) but after a few months he decided to quit school and come work full time at Il Cerchio. I will not hide the fact that I was very happy with his decision, but I did nothing to push him into it. I wanted it to be his decision and not mine.”
Where does the name “Il Cerchio” come from ?
« Il Cerchio” means “circle” in Italian. “It’s the circle of nature. Nature is a circle and man is in the middle. The man must not seek to change, to change nature but he must learn to stay in his place. He must use nature, respect and adapt to it. »
What is recognizeable in “Il Cerchio” wines in a blind tasting ?
« These are typical wines, elegant and drinkable. These are wines where we have recognized the grape. Alicante, for example, is never hidden by wood. In all our wines there is never over-breeding. What one wants is the grape, the characteristics of the grape variety and terroir.
It is on land mostly composed of clay and a little sand. The influence of the sea which is less than 4 km has a beneficial effect on our vineyards. »
Why did you choose to manage the property by organic farming?
« We made the choice to manage the vineyards according to the principles of organic agriculture upon it’s creation and we obtained the certification in 1994. We made this choice by full conviction that respect for the environment, health of the consumer and the producer are significant health elements that we need to meet / maintain. This is the only way to sustain / protect our ecosystem. »
Anecdotes side:
Maremma is a land of immigration which has succeeded on many nations (France, Spain, Etruscan …) that each have their footprints marked this region. For example, about thirty kilometers from the property you can visit archaeological sites, historical vestiges retracing the presence of the Romans or Etruscans …
Another anecdote, one day Corinna Vicenzi was contacted by Bibendum, an australina impoter, who asked her to buy her wines tasted in New York. She was greatly surprised that such a request was made of her considering such a “small production”.
“Our production is limited, it is a small winery but our wines have already been shipped to many countries such as Canada, Belgium, Japan, Australia and the United States. ”
Thanks to Corinna Vicenzi and her son Beniamino for their warm welcome.
Choukroun Chicheportiche Jonathan
Il Cerchio
Via Valmarina 24 – 58011 Capalbio (Gr), Italia
Tel +39 0564 898856
