Casale del Giglio is a member of The Grand Wine Tour: an association of the finest wineries across Italy offering exclusive wine tastings, boutique hotels, Michelin-starred restaurants and unique activities dedicated to wine lovers and a luxury clientele. TGWT Mark of Excellence is the very first Italian certification of quality distinguishing high standards in wine tourism hospitality.
Casale del Giglio’s history
Founded by Dino Santarelli in 1967, Casale del Giglio is situated in the Agro Pontino Valley about 50km south of Rome. Located in the Municipality of Aprilia in the Latina province, it is near the Mediterranean Sea and at the feet of the Apennines.
Before founding the winery, this region was relatively unexplored from the point of viticulture in respect to other areas of Lazio and the rest of Italy. Since 1985, Dino’s son, Antonio followed in his father’s winemaking footsteps and set out with Paolo Tiefenthaler, a young enologist from Trentino, on an intense adventure of research to bring back to the winery. They were inspired and guided by the models of cultivation practiced in Bordeaux, Australia and California because of their coastal locations, exactly like the Agro Pontino Valley which benefits greatly from its proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea. In the end, almost 60 different experimental varietals were planted, including Syrah, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon, Viognier and Petit Manseng. It was a complex and risky undertaking that paid off well, and quickly.
From the red varietals, Syrah and Petit Verdot, and from the white, Sauvignon, Viognier and Petit Manseng, took to the soils so well that they led to various single-variety labels and blends. The winery, which today owns 180 hectares of vineyards, has received high praise in both the Italian and international market. Its flagship label is Mater Matuta, a blend of Syrah and Petit Verdot that has a highly concentrated and austere profile of wild black fruits (blackberry, currants), complex spices and a deep ruby color.
Winery Tour & Tastings
Beginning from the main access to the winery, you will walk through the vineyards to reach the entrance of the cellar. From here you will be led to a terrace providing sweeping, panoramic views of the entire estate. Afterward, you will visit the cellar, where research on micro vinification of the experimental vines planted in 1985 continues, and explore the aging rooms.
After visiting the cellar, you will be guided to the Natural Oasis, a pond that is filled up by a natural spring that runs through the estate and is surrounded by a forest of trees that are native to the Maquis of the Mediterranean. Once back to the winery, you will be guided to our tasting room to enjoy a wine tasting.
Each wine tasting is accompanied by a selection of local products such as Pane Casereccio, Prosciutto di Bassiano, Pecorino di Sommati from Amatrice and Caciotta di Pecora.