Tenuta La Viola "Intrigo" Famoso IGT '23

Founded in 1962 and based in the village of Bertinoro, just to the west of the city of Cesena in Romagna, Tenuta la Viola has always focused on making classic-style wines that reflect the region and a respect for the environment. Since 1999 the vineyards have been certified organic, and 2018 marks the first vintage produced from biodynamic principles. The vineyards are situated on rolling hills that face the Adriatic, and on the other side are the Tosco-Romagnolo Apennines, which creates a microclimate that brings in cooling breezes, ultimately helping maintain the health of the vineyards and balance of acidity and ripeness in the fruit. The soil is a mixture of clay and limestone, with ancient marine sediments.

Famoso is a rare and local indigenous variety found only in Romagna. Yes, Famoso means “famous.” but with less than a couple dozen hectares of this variety under vine, there are around a dozen producers that actually produce a varietal Famoso from their vineyards. There are records of the varietal being produced dating back as long ago as 1437, but phylloxera likely killed most of them in the late 19th century. 

This is the first vintage produced of Famoso by Tenuta La Viola. They have rented a vineyard that sits just across the valley, farmed organically, and made into this vibrant and aromatic white wine. This really jumps out of the glass, with citrus, white flowers and a hint of peach.