In the Scala family since 1949, the domaine is now run by Luigi Scala and son Francesco, who leads the production of Cirò wines following family traditions. From the growing of the grapes to the refinement and aging of the wines, he favors quality over quantity and aims to produce distinguished Calabrian wines.
18 hectares for an overall production of 100,000 bottles. Grapes are native varieties such as Gaglioppo, Magliocco, Nerello, Mantonico and Greco. They are cultivated in espalier on the hinterland plains and hills, on argillaceous and sandy soil. Vine ages 15-20 years.
Farming/vinification practices: Scala exclusively uses organic products for the past 10 years, such as lupins to fertilize the vineyards; it provides the soil with nitrogen and helps eliminate weeds. Certified organic, starting with the 2016 vintage.
We don’t use any animal protein like albumin or casein for stabilizing the wines. I am badly allergic to the casein! I can’t drink milk or eat cheese, mainly when they are fresh. We simply stabilize the Cirò Bianco and Rosato putting them in a conditioned tank at low temperature for 7-10 days. As for the red wines, they are stabilized with natural ageing.
Wines
Scala Rosato
100% Gaglioppo from estate vineyards located in Cirò (Crotone district), with a south/south-east exposure – sand and clay soil. The vines were planted in 1987 and 1997 and are trained in espalier. The grapes are all hand-picked.
Scala Bianco
100% Greco, from vineyards located in Cirò (Crotone district), 100 to 150 meters above sea level. The vines were planted in 1997 and face south/south-east. They are trained in espalier.
Scala Rosso Classico Superiore
100% Gaglioppo a thick-skinned grape indigenous to Southern Italy and best known for the production of Ciro DOC. The grapes comes from a vineyard called “Franza”, in Contrada Franza (municipality of Ciro), in the region of Calabria. The wine is racked and left in cement tanks for a minimum of 10 to 12 months.
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Tenuta Terre Nobili is a winery founded in the late 60’s in Montalto Uffugo by Ennio, a man deeply rooted in this land and eager to work in agriculture full time.
Consequently one of his first goals was to work to recover the ancient species of vines of the area, since the terroir had enjoyed good fame in the past from the production of great wines for the exclusive cellars of local noble families.
Thus began the search and selection of native varieties of vines in order to restore this area to its previous splendor. Along with this recovery, he tried to identify those areas within the estate where the exposure and the peculiarity of the land could guarantee the highest quality wines.
Meanwhile he made a wine cellar, a modern one at the time, where the use of new technologies for the fermentation allowed to enhance at their best the rich aroma and taste of the local grapes.
The winery has been run according to tradition for many years. In recent times his daughter, Lidia Matera, started working in the winery in the respect for the original plan and, after so many years of experience, since vintage 2000, they have been producing Alarico, Cariglio, Donn’eleonò and Santa Chiara, all wines that express the warmth and strength of their local soil and the typical harmony of the vines of their land.
Wines
Santa Chiara
This wine has a crystal-clear, light straw yellow colour with an intense long lasting bouquet. Finish with scents of zagara flowers along with white peach, ripe orange and grapefruit. On the palate it is dry, fresh, really savoury, full. The aftertaste brings out savouriness, notes of minerals, fruits and flowers.
CARIGLIO
The colour is deep ruby red with purplish highlights. The nose is intense, persistent; lengthy finish with hints of ripe blackberry and cherry and juniper berry. The taste is savory, warm, pleasantly astringent, rich._ The aftertaste: balanced tannins with fruity and spicy notes.
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