In the last years the role and the scenery of the enology in the Marches has changed a lot, they have mainly focused - here as somewhere else in Italy - to quality as the primary key for success and mostly based on the autochthonous grapes of the region. Verdicchio has been the first autochthonous grape of the Marches to contribute to the success of the wines of this region, a success which is still today alive and which can be considered - undoubtedly - among the best white wines of Italy. Marches are not Verdicchio only, of course. In the last years are getting more and more famous also the red wines of this region, in particular Rosso Conero, the robust wine from Marches produced with Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes. To catch the attention of wine lovers towards the enological production of Marches, besides typical wines, there are also the many wines classified as Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT, Typical Geographical Indication) produced with the so called “international” grapes.

	Michele and Massimo Bernetti of Umani Ronchi

 Umani Ronchi is one of the wineries which contributed to the notoriety of wines from Marches all over the world, today considered one of the most prestigious wineries of Italy. Founded in the 1950s by Dr. Gino Umani Ronchi in Cupramontana, the winery was acquired some years later by the Bianchi Bernetti family, who are still the current owners. In the 1970s were built the two wineries of Castelbellino and Osimo, both in the province of Ancona. The winery at Castelbellino was destined to the vinification of Verdicchio grape, whereas the one at Osimo was destined to the vinification of Rosso Conero and to the bottling of the whole production of Umani Ronchi. Beginning from the 1990s, Umani Ronchi winery is led by Massimo Bernetti - who is the current president - and by his son Massimo, who is in charge for the management of the winery.

 This change has started a new course at Umani Ronchi, beginning an activity of innovation and research, two fundamental factors in the daily activities of this winery and which also allowed the reorganization and requalification of the whole productive structure. In 2000 has been restored the main winery at Osimo, in which was also built a new room for the aging of wines in casks as well as a tasting room. The expansion of Umani Ronchi also spread to the neighboring Abruzzo region. In fact, in 2002 were acquired 30 hectares of estates inside the area of “Colline Teramane” for the production of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. In 2004 was also inaugurated a wine shop, where wine lovers can taste the wines produced by Umani Ronchi. Moreover, in 2005 have been introduced new agricultural methods in vineyards, by using different cultural methods according to each variety.

Outside view of the room for the aging of Umani Ronchi's wines

 Red berried grapes are currently cultivated with the spurred cordon system, whereas for white berried grapes is used the simple Guyot method instead. Today the properties of Umani Ronchi cover an area of 110 hectares of vineyards in the production area of Verdicchio Classico, 60 hectares in the Rosso Conero area and, finally, 30 hectares in the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo area, for a total of 200 hectares. The new estates at Roseto degli Abruzzi follows the same productive and qualitative criteria of Umani Ronchi, which in this area will be focused on the production of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo “Colline Teramane” DOCG. The estate is located in the Casal Thaulero area, in the province of Teramo, where it was built a new vinification cellar, considered a strategical future production center for new wines. Umani Ronchi aims in fact to adopt the same criteria which have ensured the success of their products in the Marches, while keeping the control on every production phase and investing on development and innovation in regard to quality.

 Despite the productive philosophy of Umani Ronchi is mainly focused on the valorization of the autochthonous grapes of Marches and Abruzzo, such as Verdicchio and Montepulciano, particular attention is paid to “international” varieties. In its research and experimentation activities, Umani Ronchi also includes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varieties, obtaining results of remarkable interest. One of the most famous wines of Umani Ronchi produced with international grapes is Pelago - produced with Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano and Merlot, ages in barrique for 14 months - a wine which has received prizes and appreciation in every country of the world. Prizes and appreciation that Umani Ronchi also receives with the wines produced with the autochthonous grapes of Marches, such as Rosso Conero Cumaro - produced with 100% Montepulciano - and the excellent Verdicchio Casal di Serra Vecchie Vigne and Plenio.

 Umani Ronchi is particularly focused on the experimentation and research, a job done with the cooperation of the University of Ancona and the contribution of wine maker Beppe Caviola. A research done in respect of the varietal characteristics of every grape but with the goal of studying the potentialities of every variety. Wines produced by Umani Ronchi are divided into five families and, despite in each family there are wines produced with the same grapes, they express distinct characteristics by means of the valorization of every vineyard and every variety. Thanks to this productive philosophy, Umani Ronchi is appreciated all over the world for the quality of its wines. The eighty percent of the production is in fact exported in 50 countries of the world and of which the main markets are United States of America, Germany, Japan and England. The success distinguishing Umani Ronchi since many years is based on quality and research, something which is clearly confirmed by its wines that, unfailingly, are appreciated every year by the many wine lovers in Italy and in the world.

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