By Lorenzo Diamantini
Among the soft hills of Umbria, where the sun caresses the vines and the wind whispers through the leaves, the rows of Cantina Semonte wind like green waves, uniting the earth to the sky in an eternal embrace. The vines, lined up in an orderly dance, are dressed in bright clusters, which hang like gems ready to reveal their secret. Every step between these rows is a journey through time, where the history of the land merges with that of the men who, with love and dedication, transform the fruits of these vineyards into liquid poetry.
Here, each row tells stories of patience, waiting, care. And it is precisely in this magical place that was an ancient patronal village, that the Semonte Winery has rooted its dream, cultivating not only grapes, but also a vision that combines tradition and innovation.
At the heart of Cantina Semonte’s philosophy is a deep bond with the territory and its history. Founded in 2008, the winery has its roots well before, when Ubaldo, the father of Giovanni Colaiacovo (current manager of the winery) and his aunt, Maria Carmela, developed the idea of planting the first vineyards around the winery, convinced, after in-depth studies, of the potential of the Gubbio land. It all stems from a far-sighted advice from Luigi Veronelli and from an atypical variety for the territory, that of Dolcetto that the Colaiacovo family discovered, having been introduced to these lands by ancient Savoy officials, revealing a centuries-old history that intertwines Umbria and Piedmont, while what was the legendary “Nebbiolo di Gubbio” represents a historical connection between these lands and was nothing more than a blend of the typical Piedmontese varieties.
The Semonte winery has been able to innovate without betraying its origins, exploring new paths with wines such as Cordaro, a blend of Dolcetto and Merlot that tells the story of the territory, Monteleto, a pure Chardonnay that expresses the elegance and freshness of the Gubbio soil and the latest arrival in May of this year, the Constant, a pure Merlot resulting from great passion and dedication.
Each wine is the result of careful care and a vision that embraces both the past and the future. The real challenge is represented by the Classic Method: Il Battista, the flagship of the winery, a project that defies conventions, demonstrating that even northern Umbria can produce excellent sparkling wines. Grown in the vineyards of San Marco, between 680 and 800 meters above sea level, the Battista represents the winery’s most daring bet. Thanks to the advice of the oenologist Leonardo Valenti, this sparkling wine brings Gubbio to the stage of Italian sparkling wine, establishing itself as a product that combines altitude, terroir and technique with surprising results.
From here another fundamental piece of the success of the Semonte Winery is added and it is the ‘Spum.e’ project, aimed at enhancing the sparkling wine of the central Apennine area. The San Marco vineyard is the heart of this project, with a production focused on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, perfect varieties for the creation of classic method sparkling wines. Spum.e is not just a company initiative, but a project shared with other local wineries, with the aim of demonstrating that Umbria can also be a protagonist of quality sparkling wine, creating new opportunities for the entire region.
But the Semonte Winery is not just wine: it is an experience to be lived with all the senses. With a wine tourism offer of great charm, guests can immerse themselves in the tranquillity of the Umbrian countryside and will soon be able to stay in the main villa, renovated with 11 cozy and elegant rooms. The restaurant is refined, it is called Il Custode, in name and in fact, managed with love and passion by Giovanni’s mother, Beatrice and there is a chef of the highest level, Marco Bistarelli who with his dishes celebrates local products and offers typical, seasonal and high-quality cuisine.
Pairings and tastings, recommended by the winery’s sommelier Nicoletta Saldi, while in the near future a swimming pool among the vineyards and a wellness area will invite guests to total relaxation. This complete experience allows visitors to discover the Gubbio area through wine, gastronomy and natural beauty while immersing themselves in a complete wine tourism experience. The future of the Semonte Winery is promising: the company has already begun to gain a prominent place in the national and international wine scene by participating in events such as Vinitaly and winning over more and more enthusiasts. But what makes this reality truly special is the ability to combine tradition and innovation in a project that looks ahead, always keeping alive the link with the land and people.
At the base of the success of the Semonte Winery there is a strong community dimension. The Colaiacovo family strongly believes in the value of collaboration and mutual support, as demonstrated by the Spum.e project and the numerous collaborations with other wineries in the area such as the ‘Altra Umbria’ events. The winery’s dream is to become not only a point of reference for wine production, but also a symbol of rebirth and development for the territory. The Semonte Winery represents a perfect synthesis between past and future, a story of deep roots and wings to fly. From the rows that gently sway to the rhythm of the wind to the wines that tell stories of passion and dedication, this winery is the beating heart of the Gubbio tradition that is renewed through a young enthusiasm and the unmistakable warmth of a family business.
Between excellent wines and a unique wine tourism experience, the Semonte Winery is destined to leave an indelible mark on the world of wine, conquering the hearts and palates of anyone who discovers it.
Info: Via dell’Assino, 184, 06024 Semonte PG
GUIDED TOURS AND WINE SALE
Nicoletta: +39 339 2310462
RISTORANTE “IL CUSTODE”
Local and seasonal dishes
Raffaele: +39 331 3887104
SALES: Patrizio: +39 339 6047128