Masciarelli

Azienda Agricola Masciarelli Martino sulla Marrucina, Tuscany Italy To answer the question “Why am I doing this?” a question most of us have demanded of ourselves at least once or twice, Gianni Masciarelli answers, “To fulfill my family’s destiny and for the love of my land.” Such a statement may be considered overly romantic to be believable, but then you see the land, which Masciarelli describes, and then you taste his wines. Gianni started his adventure in the world of wine in 1981 when he inherited his family land in Martino sulla Marrucina. These bucolic Tuscan hillsides cover 320 hectares, 273.5 of which are given over to vineyards. Located at 420 meters above sea level, this ancient area is a marvel of nature with spectacular landscapes. Mount Maiella looms on one side of the valley while the Adriatic Sea rolls out to the other. The terrain surrounding the small mountain is severe and calcareous, ensuring strong, hardy vegetation. Like many other producers in the region, the azienda is also involved in olive oil production. Gianni was one of the first producers in this very traditional region to introduce quality-driven techniques he learned in France. In the 1970s, he grafted vines to older rootstock and allowed his red montepulciano to age in barrique. While criticized by many of his neighbors at the time, he came to build a strong foundation for high quality winemaking in his region. Gianni’s wife, Marina Cvetic took over the Azienda Agricola in 2008, when Gianni died. They had met in 1987 during a winery tour in Croatia. She was a student in food chemistry and engineering at the University of Belgrade. The couple married in 1989 and her impressive, tenacious personality has been a driving force in the small company’s many wines.