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VIANDANTE DEL CIELO: Hard work, tradition and sustainability, resulting in outstanding wines

Concentration on quality, attention to detail, and conservation of Umbria’s environment: the Viandante del Cielo winery, situated at Passignano in the Province of Perugia, is outstanding among wine producers with regard to these three elements.

Viandante del Cielo lies in a Region steeped in thousands of years of history. The roots of the vines bury deep into the past: they were first cultivated by those masters of grape fermentation, the Etruscans, and then handed down to the Romans. In the Middle Ages, Umbria was renowned for its saints and mystics, with Saint Francis of Assisi, enamoured of this inspirational area, as the most glowing example.

Another distinctive aspect of the zone is its terracing. Within the complex set of problems caused by the abandonment of agricultural land, plants grown on terraces are in fact of particular interest. On the one hand, these crops were among the first to be abandoned; on the other, though, they have – for centuries – been a distinctive feature of the Mediterranean landscape.

Indeed, it was their love for the area’s history, along with their desire to recover and continue a thousand-year-old tradition, that led the current owners to purchase this abandoned property in 2007.

The striking landmark of Viandante del Cielo is the sixteenth-century Convent of the Capuchin Friars that overlooks the estate, offering a spectacular view of Isola Maggiore in Lake Trasimene.

The overall twenty-four hectares of the estate include four of vineyards, distributed on the narrow terraces that look out over the lake. With an altitude that varies between 330 and 370 meters above sea level and a southerly/south-westerly exposure, its terroir offers unique conditions for growing grapes, and other crops as well. “Promiscuous” agriculture is practiced here: on each terrace there is a row of century-old olive trees and, where these are no longer present, they have been replaced with new olive groves planted by the winery: a real effort to recuperate the local vine-growing traditions of the past.

Viandante del Cielo’s outstanding wines are “Viandante”, a bold combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot; “Pristinvm”, a lively blend focusing on the indigenous Ciliegiolo variety; and the Chardonnay-based “Lungolago”, which has great potential for aging.

The winery has organic certification. An ecologically sustainable approach, from the vineyard to the winery, is an integral part of the estate, beginning with the recovery and treatment of rainwater: a tangible commitment to reducing the impact on the environment and preserving natural resources.

The fundamental values that guide the activities of Viandante del Cielo are clear: transparent products, respect for nature, and collaboration. Indeed, the company operates as a united team, a close family, in which each member has a profound rapport with what the estate produces.