Sartarelli Winery, located in Poggio San Marcello in the Marche region, is renowned for its exclusive production of Verdicchio, an indigenous Italian grape variety. Founded in 1972 by Ferruccio Sartarelli, the winery is now managed by the Sartarelli family, which is currently in its third generation.
In 2013, Sartarelli launched the “Sartarelli. ZERO” project, aimed at ensuring the absence of synthetic chemical residues in both the grapes and wines. This approach involves the use of natural products such as herbal extracts, seaweed, and yeasts for vine protection, promoting sustainable viticulture that respects the environment.
Among the winery’s standout wines is “Balciana,” a Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore that has garnered international recognition. In 2020, the Balciana 2017 won the trophy for Best Italian White Wine at the International Wine Challenge, and in 2024, the Balciana 2020 was included in Vinous’ “Top 100 Wines of the Year,” ranking 95th.
The Sartarelli product range includes various expressions of Verdicchio, from the “Sartarelli Classico,” a fresh and versatile wine, to “Tralivio,” made from select grapes from the oldest vineyards, to “Sartarelli Passito,” a sweet wine made from dried grapes.
Quotidiano.net dedicated an article to the winery in February 2024, which is reproduced below.
PRICES & QUALITY – The Marche-based winery is a rare example of exclusively single-varietal production. All its wines are free from chemical residues. by LORENZO FRASSOLDATI.
“Our team is our family,” is the manifesto of Sartarelli. The production philosophy is summarized by the motto ‘In Verdicchio veritas’ to avoid any misunderstanding.
Sartarelli is one of the few Italian wineries with exclusively single-varietal production, specifically Verdicchio, the indigenous white grape variety of the Marche region. It all began with Ferruccio Sartarelli, a respected baker at first, then an entrepreneur, and a generous philanthropist and patron both to institutions and to the less fortunate. A true pioneer. In 1972, for the love of his wife Matilde, he gave up the idea of moving to Argentina to invest in land and dedicated himself to turning Verdicchio—at the time considered only as a table wine for large quantities—into a product of absolute excellence. A dream that over time he passed on to his daughter Donatella and son-in-law Patrizio.
Sartarelli Vineyards in Poggio San Marcello
The brave story of the Sartarelli winery began, inheriting the values of the grandfather: quality, expertise, determination, and reliability. Around the historic farmhouse in the municipality of Poggio San Marcello, a small precious gem nestled in the magnificent hills of Marche, 350 meters above sea level, are 55 hectares of vineyards and 6 hectares of olive groves. We are on the left bank of the Esino River, which is the classic area for producing Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC. Donatella and Patrizio are now assisted by their children: Caterina, who manages exports, and Tommaso, now a respected winemaker.
The winemaking process is done exclusively in stainless steel tanks, as is the aging, at a constant temperature below 18°C to enhance the aromas of the wines. The commitment to environmental respect translates into the ‘Residuo Zero’ philosophy, a research path that began in 2013 and now covers the entire vineyard area. Sartarelli wines are all free from chemical residues thanks to the use of resistance inducers derived from herbs, seaweed, and yeasts, which, by simulating a plant disease attack, stimulate the plant’s ability to respond swiftly. This results in higher quality grape clusters, an increase in the natural antioxidants in the wine, and the total absence of chemical residues (0.001 mg/kg, the instrumental limit), ensuring consumers a healthy, safe, and clean product. The entire process is certified.
