Decugnano Dei Barbi in Umbria's Orvieto was well worth the drive from Todi. Shortly after our arrival we set out to explore wine country. The week passed too quickly, as we visited the sub-regions of Umbria's wine country, and the region’s historic towns, like Todi and Orvieto. Our explorations took us through hilly landscapes, passing endless vineyards along the way. When I short listed Orvieto wineries to visit I put Decugnano Dei Barbi, and two others (Madonna del Latte and Cantine Neri) on the list. I reached out, and in the end Decugnano Dei Barbi, a boutique family winery, was able to schedule a time for us.
Santa Maria di Decugnano Church, Decugnano Dei Barbi © Spaswinefood
The Special Magic of Decugnano Dei Barbi
Decugnano Dei Barbi is, not only a place with great views and amazing wines but, also a place of historical and geological significance. From its hilltop position you have panoramic views all the way to Orvieto. Decugnano Dei Barbi sits on the captivating site of a 13th century hilltop village where monks once produced wine for Orvieto clergy. Decugnano Dei Barbi is a family-run winery that stays true to its roots. The site is located on the grounds of Santa Maria di Decugnano Church, hence the name. It was restored in 1973 following the Italian boom in the 1960s.
Decugnano Dei Barbi is located in the Orvieto wine region that takes its name from Orvieto, the city. The city is perched atop an outcrop of volcanic rock. In fact Orvieto's Citadel can be seen for many miles around. From the hilltop at Decugnano Dei Barbi there are distance views. The city dates back to the Etruscan era, long before it became a stronghold of the Roman Empire. Underneath the cobbled alleyways and medieval piazzas of the city there is a network of underground caves, which dates back to the city’s ancient origins. These underground cellars is where the Etruscans produced the first wine in Orvieto. Today, winemaking is a cornerstone of Orvieto’s economy, and the city is surrounded by sweeping hills and fields of vineyards as far as the eye can see. Orvieto is Umbria’s most productive wine area, accounting for around 80% of Umbria’s total vineyard area.
Along the way to Decugnano Dei Barbi we took in views of Orvieto perched atop a volcanic rock outcrop in the distance.
After driving for over an hour on winding roads through the countryside we finally arrived at the winery entrance.
Our Visit to Decugnano Dei Barbi
The drive up to the estate entrance was a beautiful one, winding through the Umbrian countryside. Our host, greeted us with a warm welcome. The Barbi family began by producing wines originally for the pleasure of family and friends. After ten years their wines began to win awards. This success prompted Decugnano Dei Barbi to expand production, and offer tours and tastings. It is now a boutique winery, run by the Barbi family.
When we walked by the vineyards, our host explained how the soil we were standing on was once the bed of the Mediterranean Sea. Even though that was millions of years ago, we could still see shells in the ground, and later we viewed fossils in the walls of the cellar caves. These unique vineyard growing conditions add more minerals and salt to the wine in comparison to other producers across the valley.
We also toured the production facility before the tasting.
Later, we walked up to the site of the old church, which has been carefully restored and updated to host tastings. From the church there were spectacular views across the Umbrian valleys.
Our tasting at a church was unique. When you enter the carefully restored church you are immediately struck by the beauty of the setting.
We took our seat at a grand table in the main room of the old church.
Decugnano Dei Barbi Wines © Spaswinefood
We first tasted Sauvignon Blanc and then a, an elegant blend of Grechetto, Vermentino, Chardonnay, and Procanico. These wines are grown in soils of fossilized sea shells. In fact we could almost taste the sea salt in the wine, making them so very good!
1. Decugnano Dei Barbi, L'Inquisitore, Umbria Blanco IGT 2020 (100% Sauvignon Blanc)
This wine is a very special Sauvignon Blanc.
2. Decugnano Dei Barbi, Il Blanco Mare Antico, Orvieto Classico Superiore DOC 2020
This Orvieto Classico Superiore DOC wine is an elegant blend of Grechetto, Vermentino, Chardonnay and Procanico. The winery's website describes it this way:
The Mare Antico is a blend of the best fruit from our estate vineyards. The grapes are sourced from 25 year old vines grown in soils particularly rich with fossilized shells and oysters. The grapes are fermented separately and carefully blended. Mare Antico is a wine of great elegance, well balanced and very mineral: the best expression of Decugnano’s terroir.
Orvieto’s most famous wines are whites, made from blends of Grechetto and Trebbiano grapes. For a wine to be certified Orvieto DOC, it must consist of at least 60% of this blend.
Third wine was a red, the Il Rosso: a powerful, full-bodied blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Montepulciano.
3. Decugnano Dei Barbi, Il Rosso A.D. 1212, Umbria Rosso IGT 2019
This Umbria Rosso IGT wine is a blend of 65% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Montepulciano. Its vinification was in stainless steel, 1/3 refined in French oak barrels for 12 months. The winery describes the wine as:
Our wine tasting was accompanied by cheese and meat platters.
During the tasting we also had the opportunity to try their Olive Oil
Decugnano Dei Barbi Extra Vigin Olive Oil A.D. 1212
Earlier we while touring the property we viewed the olive harvest.
In fact driving to the winery we also saw olive trees growing in nearby properties.
What an awesome setting for a wine tasting!
View onto Decugnano Dei Barbi, Santa Maria di Decugnano Church © Spaswinefood
Decugnano Dei Barbi Wine Caves and More
We ended our winery visit at the cellar caves. During the Etruscan era the construction of underground caves also occurred in the countryside beyond Orvieto. The Etruscan era caves on Decugnano Dei Barbi property were dug out by monks in the 13th century. The undergone cellars natural and consistent temperature and humidity create the perfect environment for maturing wine. As we walked through we could view the cellar's wall and feel the humidity. These caves are used to produce the Metodo Classico Brut vintage sparkling wine, made with 50 % Chardonnay and 50 % Pinot Noir.
Indeed the history of these caves are very unique.
Seeing the underground caves was the perfect way to end our visit.
Decugnano Dei Barbi Cellars © Spaswinefood
We viewed fossils in the walls of the cellar caves. Earlier, as we walked the property we saw shells in the soil however, seeing the fossils in the caves rock wall brought geological history into full view.
As we walked back to the car we discussed leaf changes in the fall.
I stopped to get more photos of Orvieto wine country.
Decugnano Dei Barbi in Umbria's Orvieto is a must visit. The Magic of Decugnano Dei Barbi is captivating. Decugnano Dei Barbi runs a variety of tours, tastings, and other experiences such as cooking classes. You can enquire and book online at www.decugnanodeibarbi.com. You will discover that Umbria is a region with a proud history and a long tradition for winemaking. While it does not enjoy the prestige of Tuscany for its wines Umbria produces some of Italy’s most unique and exquisite wines. Umbria can rival anywhere in the country for its natural beauty. While Orvieto is the largest wine producing region within Umbria other top sub-regions include Assisi, and Montefalco. I invite you to join me in our wine travels in Italy and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing future vine-filled explorations in Italy.
Orvieto in the Distance © Spaswinefood
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