By Federico Donti
In one of the many wonderful natural Umbrian contexts, in the hills overlooking Lake Trasimeno, we find the vineyards and the Cantina owned by Anna Gattobigio. We are in Macchie, a town southwest of Lake Trasimeno, more precisely between Castiglione del Lago and Sant’Arcangelo.
The territory of Trasimeno is a land that has known grapes and wine since ancient times; It is a set of stories, faces, voices and gestures of those who cultivate vines and produce wine. It is a curious and relaxed wandering that has as a background our lake, its colours that vary with the seasons, an extraordinary environment made of waters and soft hills, vineyards and olive trees.
I find myself telling one of those companies that have a great history made of family, tradition and great love for nature and its fruits. The ‘Vitivinicola il Poggio di Anna Gattobigio’ is located among the rolling hills of Lake Trasimeno and, thanks to a particularly mild climate, manages to obtain excellent quality wines.
Exactly in 1972, his parents owned eight hectares of land where they began the cultivation of vineyards; thus began the adventure of little Anna in the field, only eleven years old; With the idea that one day he would set up his own cellar. Fact that happened twelve years later (in 1984), with the production of the first white, red and rosé wines.
In 1992 Anna took the reins of the company and in the early 2000s she renovated the vineyards, expanding the cellar with a tasting room; In those years the culture of wine grew, with many who approached this world to learn more about the supply chain. At that precise moment, Anna’s work is supported by the entry into the business of her husband Walter.
“Today we are able to independently manage all the necessary operations, personally following the thirteen hectares of vineyards and the entire production cycle; from cultivation to vinification and the subsequent bottling of the 12 labels from the Poggio winery, between red whites and bubbles”, he explains.
Among the Whites, we include Vermentino, Pinot bianco, Chardonnay, Grechetto, Incrocio Manzoni (not in purity). Among the Reds: Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Trasimeno Gamay (Grenache) and Pinot Noir.
Even if the request would allow a further expansion, Anna remains faithful to her philosophy: to be able to offer, always, the best wines, controlling the entire production phase. Making sure you can get bottles that live up to your passion, rather than aiming for quantity! In the cellar there are about 50 barrels of various sizes that, every year, allow you to vinify the different varieties of grapes all separately, just to study their characteristics, which change annually.
Sommelier AIS and Assosommelier, Anna holds the role of councillor in the ‘Consorzio di Tutela dei Vini’ and in the ‘Associazione Strada del Vino dei Colli del Trasimeno’, committing herself to the enhancement of the territory.
Over time, the winery “Il Poggio” has become part of the “Wine Route of the Colli del Trasimeno”, an engaging itinerary that, among vineyards and cellars, represents an invitation to share sensory experiences and perceptions. In the meantime, it becomes a certified organic winery and the specializations in the sector mean that the idea of the educational farm (also certified) can also be realized – where Anna herself holds lessons for professional tastings and training, in collaboration with schools. From 2023 she is a teacher trainer for those wishing to start a path as a farmer, holding courses right at the ‘Poggio’ with certification of the Umbria Region.
It also offers the possibility of vinifying the grapes of other producers on behalf of third parties, issuing the relative organic certification. To close the circle, in 2010 the installation of solar panels that allow the company to be self-sufficient, using its own power: “For those who want to spend a day with us, all that remains is to contact us to build a tailor-made mini holiday between vineyard, cellar, courses, sips and good food”, concludes Anna.
Info: Vitivinicola “Il Poggio” di Anna Gattobigio Via Petrarca 60, Loc. Macchie, Castiglione del Lago (Pg) / Tel. +39 347 9229671 / www.vitivinicolailpoggio.com / info@vitivinicolailpoggio.com
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 8:30 – 19:00