Terralibera - 'Terrlibera', Marche, Italy (2024)

TASTING NOTES

Fresh, vibrant, and layered with citrus, ripe peaches, white flowers, and salted almonds.

Crafted from the 5.5-hectare vineyard with west, southwest, and south-facing slopes. This Verdicchio is aged on fine lees for 6 months, it’s textured and elegant, showcasing the warmth and breezy energy of its sun-kissed slopes.

Terralibera is a small, heartfelt winery nestled between Montecarotto and Serra de’ Conti in Italy’s beautiful Marche region. It’s the creation of Gian Mario Bongini, who left behind a career in corporate finance to chase something more meaningful. After years of city life, Gian Mario found himself drawn to the rolling hills of Le Marche, eventually establishing the Filodivino cooperative in 2013. But he wanted something even more personal, a project where he could fully express his vision. That’s how Terralibera was born in 2021.

The vineyards, planted in 2002, cover 7 hectares spread across two neighbouring hills, each with its own character. On the left side of the road lies the larger plot, about 5.5 hectares, formed by the ridges of two hills with west, southwest, and south-facing slopes. Sitting at 300 meters above sea level, this vineyard basks in steady breezes with sweeping views of the Apennines stretching from Pesaro to San Vicino. Across the road is a smaller, 1.4-hectare vineyard with a northwest exposure. This plot has always been vinified separately because of its distinct microclimate and unique soils—rich in clay at the top, blending into sandy layers below, with large limestone rocks adding a beautiful, savoury minerality to the wines.

Terralibera’s winemaking philosophy is simple: minimal intervention to let the land shine. Grapes are harvested by hand, gently de-stemmed, and pressed to extract the free-run juice. The must is clarified naturally through decanting, and fermentation kicks off spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The wine rests on its lees for a few months with gentle bâtonnage, adding texture and complexity. Only a touch of sulphur is added before bottling to ensure stability.

Gian Mario crafts two wines—“Insieme” and “Da Solo”—each a pure reflection of their unique vineyards. Fresh, vibrant, and full of life, these Verdicchios tell the story of the land, the breeze, and the hands that nurtured them.