Rooted in tradition
History
The legacy of generations
The term ‘terroir’ refers to the territory, but also to the work of the people who have cultivated the vines on that land for centuries. The cultivation techniques have in fact evolved over time, with a constant focus on nature’s responses. It is a hands-on approach rooted in the terroir itself.
We first started out by returning to the source of this extraordinary tradition, and our goal is to develop the exceptional potential of our farms and vineyards.
Origins
Centuries-old wine lands
Six centuries before Christ, the Etruscans had already started bringing new vines into these areas. However, it was in the second century A.D. that Roman agronomist, scholar and grammarian Varro referred to Trebbiano as ‘the wine of the legionnaires’. Its fame had therefore spread throughout the empire.
Later, regulations drawn up by medieval Comuni in the area are full of references to wines from Emilia and Romagna that were often taken to Venice to be exported.
In the mid-sixteenth century, philosopher and writer Andrea Bacci made observations that still hold true to this day: “There is no lack of excellent wine, especially where the hills extend to the Apennines… complemented by the sea air and health-giving winds, as a result of which the vines grow abundantly and generously, are well cared for and are commendable for the right strength and purity of the wines.”
Yet the centuries-old history of viticulture in Bologna and Romagna had to wait until the early 1960s before it came to prominence on the Italian and international markets.
Starting in that very decade, the Umberto Cesari winery helped propel Emilia-Romagna wines towards new horizons.
Since 1964
Looking beyond, right from the outset
Our finest ingredient has always been our love for the land. We combine experience with technology in our quest to create a product that brings out the true essence of our terroir. Respect for the environment, people and the future underpin our work each day.
Umberto Cesari
The journey began in 1964 when Umberto Cesari first saw the untapped potential of Emilia-Romagna’s terroir and the region’s native grape varieties, and started out with 20 hectares in Castel San Pietro Terme
His vision helped redefine local winemaking, proving to the world that this land could produce wines of extraordinary character – bottles that don’t just impress, but actually tell a story with every sip.
Our founder’s fame as an ambassador of Sangiovese began in the 1980s.
From day one, he focused on continuous research and attention to detail, and established the principles on which the company is based:
Heritage
respecting roots and tradition;
Innovation
improving quality with new technologies and advanced approaches;
Sustainability
preserving the environment with responsible practices.
The Future
The constant quest for quality
Umberto Cesari’s mission is guided by its founding values: respect for tradition, protecting the environment and the vines, the value of human experience and people supported by the latest technology and techniques, both in the vineyard and in the winery.
Each year our passion for winemaking leads us to make new investments and to experiment. Our innovative spirit and vocation for research make for even higher quality standards.
A taste for legal thrillers
John Grisham and Umberto Cesari
One of the great pleasures of reading a good crime thriller is that you relish each page as you slowly discover its secrets, surprises and intrigue.
The experience of the avid reader is similar to that of someone savouring a wine that speaks of the land and the grapes, of the work in the vineyard and in the winery. John Grisham was so taken with our Liano that the main character in his novel The Broker enjoys a glass of this wine in a Bologna restaurant, and describes it as fantastic.
