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GAROFOLI

MARCHE



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The city of Loreto in Marche is the site of the Basilica della Santa Casa, one of the most important Christian pilgrimage sites during the Middle Ages and still among the most visited pilgrimage churches today. The basilica was built around a small house that is said to be the very structure in which the Virgin Mary was born and where Jesus was conceived and raised. According to tradition, the house was flown out of Nazareth in Palestine by angels before that city fell to Muslim forces during the Crusades, and it eventually wound up at the current location in Loreto. As such, untold thousands of the faithful have traveled from far and wide to see and pray at the Santa Casa (Holy House) over the centuries. 

The pilgrims who came to Loreto were some of the world’s first mass tourists, and like the tourists of today, they needed places to stay and to eat. Inns and taverns sprang up around the pilgrimage sites to serve the needs of the visitors. In Loreto, along the main road entering the town from the north, one such inn was owned by Antonio Garofoli in the mid-19th century. In 1871, Garofoli began making wine to quench the pilgrims’ temporal thirst, beginning a long family tradition. Thirty years later, his son Gioacchino founded a full-scale winery operation. The winery expanded commercially after World War II as Casa Vinicola Gioacchino Garofoli with national and European distribution beginning in 1950. 

The winery is now run by the fourth and fifth generations—brothers Carlo and Gianfranco Garofoli and their three children Gianluca, Caterina, and Beatrice. Garofoli today has four family-owned vineyards totaling 128 acres: at the family’s base in Castelfidardo outside Loreto, in the Castelli di Jesi growing area for Verdicchio in Montecarotto, in Paterno in the Rosso Cònero denomination, and the Piancarda vineyard within the Mount Cònero Regional Nature Park. The family also buys grapes from growers who have sold their entire output to Garofoli for many years. There are two production facilities, at Castelfidardo and Montecarotto.

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WINERY LOCATION: Main winery in Castelfidardo (Ancona province), Marche; Verdicchio winery in Serra de’ Conti (Ancona province), Marche
REGION: Cònero DOCG, Rosso Cònero DOC, Rosso Piceno DOC, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC, IGT Marche
VINEYARD LAND: 124 acres (51 ha) owned
FARMING PRACTICES: Sustainable
GRAPE VARIETIES: Verdicchio and Montepulciano; smaller amounts of Sangiovese and Trebbiano Toscano
WINE STYLES: Dry white; dry white frizzante; dry white sparkling; dry red; dry rosato
TOTAL WINE PRODUCTION: 2,000,000 bottles (1,500,000 liters)
YEAR FOUNDED: 1871
OWNER(S): Carlo and Gianfranco Garofoli
WINEMAKER(S): Carlo Garofoli

WINES

GAROFOLI “SERRA DEL CONTE” VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO DOC

Serra del Conte is Garofoli’s entry-level bottling of what is probably the best-known wine of Marche, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC. It is made from 100% Verdicchio grown in the historic part of the denomination. The wine’s name comes from the commune of Serra de’ Conti near the winery, where the vineyards are located.

GAROFOLI “MACRINA” VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE DOC

Macrina was one of the first Verdicchio wines bottled in a Bordeaux-style bottle, signaling a new style of Verdicchio more modern than the wines formerly produced in amphora-shaped bottles. The wine uses slightly late-harvested grapes to give it more body and longevity. The name Macrina comes from Saint Macrina, whose likeness was in a votive shrine near the vineyard where people from the farms used to pray.

GAROFOLI “PODIUM” VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE DOC

Podium is one of the leading examples of Verdicchio, from the best-known wine area of Marche, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC. It is made from 100% Verdicchio grown in the historic part of the denomination. The vineyard is atop a long flat-topped hill that is reminiscent of a speaker’s stand or podium, giving the wine its name.

SUPÈRA VERDICCHIO DI MATELICA DOC

Supèra is a nod to the future and to expanding possibilities and potential.  Having worked with Verdicchio solely from the Jesi area for generations, Matelica is a new wine and a new territory for the Garofoli family.  Expanding on a partnership with a young and vibrant wine-grower from the high valley of the Esino River valley in the Appenines, Supèra is a "mountain wine" with fresh complexity and an opportunity to experience a new personality of Verdicchio.  

GAROFOLI “KÓMAROS” MONTEPULCIANO ROSATO MARCHE IGT

Rosato (pink) wines are an Italian specialty, and Montepulciano is considered one of the best Italian grape varieties for rosato wines. The Kómaros rosato is made from vines in the same vineyards as Garofoli’s Grosso Agontano Cònero DOCG wine, but these vines are managed specifically for the rosato and are harvested earlier to maximize acidity and fruit. The name Kómaros—which was also the Greek name for Mount Conero—comes from the Greek word for arbutus or madrone trees that are common in this area.

GAROFOLI “FARNIO” ROSSO PICENO DOC

Farnio represents the Rosso Piceno denomination in the Garofoli line. As is typical for these wines, Farnio is a blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese, with the emphasis on Montepulciano. Gianfranco Garofoli named this wine after a beautiful mountain pass in Monti Sibillini National Park of southern Marche above Rosso Piceno—one of his favorite places to ride his enduro motorbike.

GAROFOLI “MONTE REALE” SANGIOVESE MARCHE IGT

Marche takes both sides in the Sangiovese/Montepulciano rivalry of central Italy, and so does Garofoli. Monte Reale presents the case for Sangiovese, a pure Sangiovese wine sourced from vineyards across the region. The wine’s name comes from one of the main streets in the pilgrimage city of Loreto.

GAROFOLI “PIANCARDA” ROSSO CÒNERO DOC

The Piancarda vineyard is Garofoli’s top source for Montepulciano grapes, located in Marche’s top denominations for Montepulciano-based wines. The Piancarda wine, using 100% Montepulciano from this vineyard, is a classic expression of this grape variety. The name Piancarda comes from Biancarda, which was the historical name of the area, referring the white (bianca) limestone-rich soil.

GAROFOLI “GROSSO AGONTANO” CÒNERO RISERVA DOCG

Grosso Agontano is the top-of-the-line Montepulciano wine from Garofoli. It is made only in the best years, when the harvest in the Piancarda vineyard is considered to be of superior quality, taking the higher classification of Cònero DOCG. The wine’s namesake, the grosso agontano, was one of the most important silver coins of medieval Italy, originally minted by the Maritime Republic of Ancona in the 13th century.

GAROFOLI "LE PICCOLE BOLLICINE" VINO FRIZZANTE

This wine is the evolution of the frizzante wines historically drunk during the summer at the Marche seaside.  Piccole Bollicine means "little bubbles" because Vino Frizzante is a sparkling wine made with less pressure than Charmat method wines, lending it a very approachable, fresh and delicious personality.

GAROFOLI SPUMANTE BRUT METODO CHARMAT VERDICCHIO

The Spumante Brut is the first in the Garofoli line of sparkling wines, in production for more than six decades. It is made with 100% Verdicchio.

LOCATION


WINERY:
Main winery in Castelfidardo (Ancona province), Marche; Verdicchio winery in Serra de’ Conti (Ancona province), Marche

VINEYARD:
Montecarotto (Jesi area), Paterno and Piancarda (Mount Cònero area), and Castelfidardo (near Loreto), all in Ancona province, Marche

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NEWS AND REVIEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS IN THE INDUSTRY



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91+
APRIL 2020
Garofoli “Podium” Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC 2016

The Garofoli 2016 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Podium sees fruit from an important single vineyard that has been fermented separately since this wine was first made in 1991. With those years of experience under their belts, the winemaking team has successfully harnessed the primary freshness and purity of the Verdicchio grape. This is especially evident in a classic vintage such as 2016. Aromas of citrus, pear, saffron and crushed aniseed rise delicately from the bouquet. Some 45,000 bottles were made.

90+
NOVEMBER 2022
Garofoli “Piancarda” Rosso Cònero DOC 2020

The 2020 Rosso Conero Piancarda, a varietal Montepulciano, lifts from the glass with a dusty mix of dried roses, red currants and hints of nectarine that form a truly inviting bouquet. This is silky and elegant, nearly creamy in feel, yet elevated and cool-toned, with mineral-laced wild berries and a salty flourish that adds a savory sensation toward the close. The 2020 leaves a coating of fine tannins, as inner florals arch across the palate, and a caking of minerality slowly fades away. The warm vintage has imparted an extra suave character here, yet the Piancarda’s structure and acidity are nicely balanced and should promote medium-term cellaring. Lose a few bottles in the cellar; you’ll thank me later.

93+
NOVEMBER 2022
Garofoli “Podium” Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC 2020

The 2020 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Podium is youthfully inward and coy at first, with a dusty florality and hints of cardamom in the glass. Swirling unlocks nuances of sage and rosemary, ginger and hints of smoky cracked stones, yet its fruit, leaning toward apricot, is still quite shy. Today, this impresses more on the palate, deeply savory and mineral in style, with a herbal twang and sour melon which place it firmly into the green fruit spectrum, all brilliantly offset by a saturating salty sensation. The palate is left reeling with spicy tension; the 2020 finishes structured, leaving the cheeks puckered and the mouth watering thanks to a late-arriving bump of zesty acidity. This will take some time to show its best, but it will be time well spent.

90
JUNE 2021
Garofoli “Kómaros” Montepulciano Rosato Marche IGT 2020

The Montepulciano grape is considered one of Italy’s best grapes for Rosato wines.  Garofoli’s Rosato boasts an orangish pink color and peach, Meyer lemon aromas with a saline note.  In the mouth, the wine is lean and crisp with peach, citrus flavors that linger on the tongue.  Pair it with  grilled halibut or sushi.  Innkeeper Antonio Garofoli, started making wines in 1871 to serve Christian Pilgrims visiting the Basilica della Santa Casa in the town of Loreto in the Marche region of Italy.  In the early 1900s, his son, Gioacchino, created a winery and today, members of the fourth generation, brothers Carlo and Gianfranco Garofoli and their children run the winery.  They specialize in Trebbiano and Montepulciano grapes with a smaller amount of Sangiovese and Trebbiano Toscano.  The Piancarda vineyard is where they grow their best Montepulciano grapes, some destined for their Rosso Cònero DOC, and others specially grown for the Rosato.

90
NOVEMBER 2022
Garofoli “Podium” Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC 2014

Historical Re-Release.  The acidity and freshness of this recent bottle of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Podium shows more promise for the 2014, even as its bouquet still shows more maturity and an almost-blue cheese character. I love the mineral twang through the finale. I may have underrated this a bit.

89
SEPTEMBER 2020
Garofoli “Macrina” Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC 2019

The 2019 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Macrina is zesty and fresh, punching well above its price point. Here I’m finding pretty yellow flowers, hints of smoke, lime-infused apple and savory herbs. It’s soft yet juicy and full of lively tension, showing ripe orchard fruits offset by yellow citrus and building mineral tones toward the close. The palate literally aches for another sip throughout the cheek-puckering and floral finale.

90
MARCH 2023
Garofoli “Podium” Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC 2020

Aromas of spearmint, almond and a hint of fennel. Medium-full with impressive concentration, there is notable persistence, good acidity and excellent varietal character. Quite dry in the finish with green herbal notes. Enjoy over the next 5-7 years.

94
OCTOBER 2021
Garofoli “Podium” Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore DOC 2019

At each tilt of the glass, the 2019 Podium reveals something new. Initially showing gingery spice, white smoke and yellow flower notes, it evolves into sour melon, young mango and wet stone aromas. Finally, it turns flinty, with crushed apples and raw almonds. The silky textures are almost glycerol-like, even though it is seemingly weightless in feel. It hovers above the senses while being propelled by vibrant acidity and saturating mineral tones, as ripe orchard fruits and inner florals cascade across the palate. It leaves you with an achingly youthful impression, the combination of structure and lingering notes of bitter grapefruit rind and granny smith apples. 2019 Podium is a classic in the making; and while it can be enjoyed today, the best is yet to come.