The Cheese Shop of Salem

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Collecapretta: 'Hill of the Goats'


The winery of Collecapretta is located in Umbria, one of the few landlocked regions within Italy. Collecapretta translates to ‘hill of the goats,’ and thousands of years ago these hills were filled with bleating goats, Romans, and ancestors of the Mattioli family, who have dwelled in this hamlet since the 1100’s. Today, Vittorio, Anna, and their daughter Annalisa Mattioli run this small and incredibly special winery. From their four hectares of well-loved vines, they make a variety of wines to showcase the different moods of their terroir.

Collecapretta Vino Rosso da Tavola is 100% Sangiovese aged in a combination of cement, stainless steel, and fiberglass vessels. Sipping this Umbrian Sangiovese transports you to a remote Italian villa; enjoy a slight woodsiness with notes of dried currants and fresh figs. 

Collecapretta Lautizio is 100% Ciliegiolo, a grape that tastes like (and translates to) cherry! Ciliegiolo is one of the parent grapes of Sangiovese - it’s all in the family in Italia! The Matioli’s Ciliegiolo vines are between 15-50 years old. After being harvested, the grapes ferment for about 10 days and then age in cement vats. Lautizio has a bit of a lighter finish than the Vino Rosso da Tavola. 

For a classic Italian combo, pair Collecapretta Vino Rosso da Tavola with Pecorino Toscano, a traditional sheep’s milk cheese whose flavors are amplified by the rich Sangiovese, transporting you straight to the Tuscan countryside. Pair Collecapretta Lautizio with Brabander, a goat’s milk gouda from the Netherlands. The sweet, fudgy gouda is a perfect match for the tart wine and the full, cherry flavors. Buon appetito! 

P.S. (For our Star Wars fans: Fellow Umbrian natural winemaker, Danilo Marcucci, is often referred to as ‘The Yoda of Natural Wine.’ If Danilo is Yoda, the Mattioli family of Collecapretta is the Force. Like the Force, their wines are as natural as they come; everything is done by hand and the only strengthening agent used for their vines is compost from their own farm. Their wines coax out the beauty of their land. Don’t underestimate the Umbrian Force.)