Since 2020, I have had the fortune to colloborate with this elegant winery located in Frascati. With innovating and modern winemaking, Cantina Imperatori is not only producing excellent wines, but has a story to tell through its vineyards, the cantina, the cellar and especially the grotto of amphoras.
The winery's project started in 2014, and continues to be well cured to the most minimal detail. Imperatori's philosophy is to bring back native vines such as cesanese, trebbiano verde, and produce wines with grapes indiginous to the area, such as their Frascati DOC Flo. It also produces a cabernet sauvignon with a local interpretation.
Entering the winery you are flanked by vineyards, and once on the cantina’s terrace you get a feel for the project, the territory and take in one amazing view. The vineyards and olive trees are planted in an amphitheatre configuration, and continue their descent towards Rome. Not only beautiful to look at, but the layout was designed for maximum draining of the volcanic soil and practices sustainable agriculture.
Moving into the cellar, the cantina has both botti (1500L) and French barriques (300L); selections the winemaker made for teasing out various flavors and aromas from specific grapes during the aging process.
The most spectacular part of the winery includes the grotto of amphoras. Similar to clay pots once used in ancient winemaking with the addition of advanced technology, the amphora allows the fruit to breathe like a barrique but without the infusion of oak flavors. Here the a Frascati Superiore is aged from September to March.
For those who love bubbly, Imperatori produces their own Metodo Classico, traditional method with Trebbiano grapes. The bottles are aged on the lees in the grotto as well.
Whether you are a wine novice or aficionado, a visit to this cantina promises an experience of style, beauty and great winemaking. Visits and wine tasting can be booked in advance.
Cantina Imperatori
http://www.cantinaimperatori.it/
