Giancarlo Ceci Agricultural Company: from Puglia a natural vocation for excellence

This beautiful story began in 1819 when Consalvo Ceci, seven generations before the current owner, Giancarlo, acquired the estate which is located between Andria - known as "the city of three bell towers" - and Castel del Monte dating back to the XIII century, made built by Emperor Frederick II of Swabia on a nearby hill (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and chosen as the effigy for the 1 euro cent coin), at an altitude of 250 metres, in the hilly area murgiana pampered by the sea breeze only 20 kilometers away.

Subsequent generations paved the way towards the future by planting vines and olive trees, but the turning point came in 1988 when Giancarlo, fresh out of agriculture and with an irrepressible passion for nature, decided to carry on and enhance the family agricultural traditions in full respect of the 'environment. More than a decision, Giancarlo's is the confirmation of a philosophy that has been the fil rouge of his life ever since, as a child, he played and ran happily in the woods which he considered "his" playground showing a very strong predisposition and curiosity for nature and the earth, thus creating a very close and special relationship with those places.

On the basis of this, he converted the company to organic by minimizing the use of chemicals and synthetic products and, in 2011, transformed it into a biodynamic company with the prestigious recognition of the Demeter certification: the goal is the pursuit of excellence in respect for the environment at all stages of the production chain, from the cultivation of the land to the final consumer, testifying to the value of natural resources.

Currently the company follows various productions: wine, EVO oil, tomato sauces and preserves, fresh vegetables, the production of energy from the sun.

But the spark of emotion for Giancarlo and his family, his wife Rosalia, his children Felice and Clara, becomes uncontainable when they talk about the vineyards (which extend for 70 hectares) and the cellar, built in 2004: the pride for its origins and the firmness of its ideals converge in products resulting from a healthy and powerful land.

Giancarlo, an extremely energetic but calm and elegantly shy person, has never been satisfied with the results obtained and has chosen the path of constant study and experimentation so as to make it a style of production and to take up the as complicated as stimulating challenge of applied biodynamics to wine. His tension towards the new is continuous, remembering and respecting the past and the tradition that must be entrusted to future generations.

His commitment is to produce wine "trying to best represent this territory and its vines" to obtain "...... an authentic, unique wine that evolves over time and arouses sensations without resorting to artifice, but for its essence and typicality". Tradition and research meet in the glass, enriching it with emotions and aromas.

And this is precisely the concept that gave rise to the successful collaboration with Lorenzo Landi, a very strong sharing of the principle of not doing anything in the cellar other than what is strictly necessary to protect the terroir while respecting the environment and “….maintaining in the wine the peculiarities that nature has instilled in the grape” as the oenologist claims who continues “…..no plant like the vine concentrates the essence of the territory in its fruit”.

This is how the originality of the territory is respected and if we talk about the meaning of "authentic wines", first of all the commitment to protect what nature has created must be identified: this thought gave life in 2004 to an innovative and respectful of the earth even before that of the vineyards and, in the 2004-2005 vintage, to an authentic, concrete, complex Nero di Troia, with its decisive and elegant tannins. A courageous and forward-looking choice that traces a path that, over the years, many producers will follow.

All the wines of the Ceci Agricultural Company have an extreme value because they start from a healthy product and from a harvest brought to the right maturation in respect of the vintage and the vine. They demonstrate continuous attention to detail and the search for quality by avoiding the alteration of the balance found in the fruit, to safeguard it from time and oxygen, leveraging its intrinsic components which are accentuated but not modified.

The native vines such as Nero di Troia, Bombino Bianco e Nero, Fiano and Moscato are valued in an environment guarded with passion and attention, while those of the closest territories such as Montepulciano and Aglianico, or international ones, such as Chardonnay, are present in the vineyards of the Azienda Ceci and are perfectly set in an exceptional microclimate with the possibility of expressing yourself at your best.

A real heritage immersed in a unique landscape, to be discovered thanks to the possibility of visiting the cellars and vineyards on a journey through time and history of these symbolic places of the most authentic Puglia and discovering all their secrets, and finally being able to satisfy even the joys of the palate by appreciating the gems of the area (including wild herbs, raw seafood ... ... ..) enhanced by a selection of wines from the company.

Even if Giancarlo, in the meantime, already has in mind to make his creations even more structured along the road of evolution, seeking ever better expressiveness between flavour, bouquet and composition, it is worth sipping the wines that today best represent his production made of love, passion and respect for the land.

Starting with the company's Grand Cru, Felice Ceci DOCG Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva , an organic wine with a great personality, produced from a careful selection of Uva di Troia. Aging in French oak tonneaux for a minimum of 14 months, then aging in the bottle for at least another 12 months before being put on sale. Great olfactory bouquet that opens with tones of blackberries, black mulberry and carob, followed by freshly cut flowers, then sweet spices such as cloves and coffee mocha.

On the palate it is broad, dry and of great character: the still slightly rough tannins make the juicy and well-structured body dynamic. Pleasantly long finish.

It is then the turn of Clara IGP Puglia Fiano : organic white wine, obtained from Fiano grapes from selected vineyards. Aging in large 25 hl French oak barrels for 7 months.

Aromas of peonies and broom, ripe peach and apricot, white pepper and mint. Dry with fresh and saline notes that lighten the round and voluminous structure. Of great elegance, finesse and persistence.

Also noteworthy is Parchitello DOCG Castel del Monte Bombino Nero . Organic rosé wine, from Bombino Nero grapes. Bouquet of pomegranate, violet, strawberry, light ginger and saffron. On the palate it is fresh, sapid but juicy with hints of wild strawberries. Elegant and deep, the perfect identity expression of the Murgia Nord Barese.

A nice surprise Apnea Spumante di Qualità DOC Castel del Monte Bombino Bianco Classic Method , aged on the lees for 36 months. Organic wine obtained from 100% Bombino Bianco. Subtle and continuous perlage. Aromas of bread crust, yellow flowers, orange, caramel and honey.

And finally Dolce Rosalia DOC Moscato di Trani Sweet Natural , from Vendemmia Tardiva . Natural sweet organic white wine, obtained from the careful selection of each bunch left to dry directly in the vineyard. Scents of orange blossom, vanilla and honey, dehydrated apricots and toasted almonds. On the palate it is velvety, with a lively freshness that balances the sip and makes the finish fine and clean.

A curiosity: the names of the wines are chosen by Giancarlo Ceci based on his passions. First of all his family, Rosalia his wife, Felice his father and his son, Clara the mother and daughter, while apnea is the sport that has always been practiced because silence and concentration help to rediscover the deepest dimension of oneself.