La Visciola, a family-run estate located in the heart of Piglio, Lazio, epitomizes the essence of artisanal winemaking. Established in 2005 by Piero Macciocca and his wife Rosa Alessandri, and now joined by their daughter, Cecilia, La Visciola focuses on the ancient Cesanese grape, indigenous to the Lazio region. This small yet impactful winery spans four hectares, dedicated to producing high-quality, biodynamic wines that capture the unique terroir of the region.
Piglio, a picturesque town in southern Lazio, provides the perfect setting for La Visciola’s vineyards. The region’s climate, a blend of continental and Mediterranean influences, coupled with red clay soils, creates an ideal environment for viticulture. La Visciola’s vineyards are characterized by a diverse ecosystem, interspersed with legumes, fruit trees, and other plants, fostering biodiversity and natural soil enrichment.
Since its inception, La Visciola has adhered to organic farming practices, and received its biodynamic certification in 2019. The family employs green manure and minimal chemical intervention, using only natural preparations to maintain vine health.
The winemaking is equally meticulous and respectful of tradition. The Cesanese grapes are fermented over ambient yeasts, which Piero believes better captures the true essence of the Cesanese and Lazio. . This method often results in longer fermentation times but produces wines with greater complexity and depth. The fermented must is vinified in a combination of concrete tanks and neutral oak barrels, with aging typically lasting at least one year before bottling. Very low levels of sulfur are used, ensuring the wines maintain their vibrant aromatics and depth of flavor.
In addition to Cesanese-based, single vineyard cuvées , La Visciola produces a white wine, Passerina del Frusinate ‘Donna Rosa’, made from 100% Passerina grapes. This wine undergoes a short skin maceration and is fermented in concrete tanks, resulting in a fresh, herbaceous profile with notable complexity.
Despite its small size, La Visciola has garnered significant acclaim for its singular wines. The estate’s limited production—fewer than 5,000 bottles annually—ensures that each wine receives the utmost care and attention, but also means that the bottles are eagerly sought after and increasingly difficult to find.
