Librandi | Calabria

For a long time, talking about Calabria's viticulture meant talking mainly about a single winery: Librandi. But in the meantime, there are more and more thoroughly working wineries that produce high-quality wines typical of the region, relying above all on ancient indigenous grape varieties. That this is the case is thanks to Nicodemo Librandi (who sadly passed away in 2023). He revived the most important of these grape varieties - such as Gaglioppo, Magliocco and Mantonica - and, as a pioneer, showed other winegrowers the high quality of these grapes. The beautiful Librandi winery, located in Ciró Marina near the Punta Alice resort on the Ionian coast, has been in the family for four generations and is now run by Teresa and Francesco and the two cousins Paolo and Raffaele, following the early death of the founder Tonino Librandi. The combination of mild Mediterranean temperatures and a strong breeze from the mountains creates a microclimate that gives the wines of the winemaking quartet unique notes, flavours and aromas.

In the wine house, which has been developed into a large modern agricultural enterprise with a great deal of money and time, great value is placed on a harmonious balance between tradition and innovation. Numerous awards attest to the success achieved with this philosophy by the pearl of Calabrian viticulture, which has become a fixed reference point for the winegrowers of southern Italy. In the municipalities of Cirò and the neighbouring villages of Strongoli, Casabona and Rocca di Neto, as well as in Cirò Marina, but also in the vineyards of Crucoli and Melissa in the province of Messina, many almost extinct autochthonous varieties thrive under the careful care of agronomist Davide De Santis. The grapes are vinified in the cellar under the expert supervision of Donato Lanati, professor of oenology in Turin and Florence, to produce reliably original and elegant creations. The main wines of the wide range continue to be made from the local Gaglioppo grape.

Librandi runs several experimental vineyards in which ancient Calabrian grape varieties are cultivated. In order to be able to produce noble drops with the authentic character of their terroir, the best clones have been carefully selected by the Librandi family. In addition, the wine enthusiasts carried out microvinifications with great patience and evaluated them meticulously. In contrast, they completely disregarded fashion trends and methods that led to quick successes in their research work. SUPERIORE.DE