2020 · Villa Malacari

Family-owned Villa Malacari is based at a historic 17th-century villa in Offagna, Marche, on the Grigiano hill at the foot of Monte Conero. Managed by Alessandro Starrabba Malacari, the estate works exclusively with its own Montepulciano grapes for Conero Riserva DOCG and Rosso Conero DOC. Vineyard work is largely manual, with low yields, careful selection, mature manure fertilisation, grass-covered rows to limit erosion, and preservation of ancient trees; no organic or biodynamic certification is stated. The family controls the full production chain, from cultivation and hand harvesting to fermentation, ageing, bottling, and maturation. Wines are made to express the local calcareous, sandy and clay soils and mild, sea-influenced climate. Natural methods include unfiltered bottling, recyclable packaging, and controlled-temperature fermentation, with ageing in the estate’s historic cellars.