Decugnano Dei Barbi also has a rentable villa,
Decugnano Dei Barbi sits high on a hill with sweeping views of northeast Orvieto. The day we visited this past June, there was a light breeze blowing and the scent of blooming oleander in the air. During the Middle Ages the land of Decugnano belonged to the Cathedral of Orvieto. Wine was produced here specifically for the Orvieto clergy.
In 1973 when Claudio Barbi first came to this property, it had been abandoned for a long time. Born and raised in Brescia, Barbi had spent time working in vineyards in France and saw the land’s potential. He planted vineyards and built a winery naming it Decugnano Dei Barbi. Its first wine was released in 1978. At the time, winemaking in Orvieto was very traditional; however, Barbi had other ideas. He embraced modern winemaking and was the first vintner in Orvieto to produce both metodo classico sparkling wines and botrytis wine (muffa nobile) into the region. Orvieto is the currently the only DOC in Italy to regulate wines made from botrytis-affected grapes.
Ancient cellars at Decugnano Dei Barbi
The 34-hectare estate includes a villa that can be rented and a tasting room. The winery is built over caves dating to the Etruscans that are still in use for riddling and their sparkling wines. Decugnano Dei Barbi produces 12,000 bottles of metodo classico sparkling wine annually as well as Orvieto Bianco Classico and Superiore and IGT Umbrian Rosso red blends.
Enzo Barbi
Claudio’s son, Enzo Barbi, continues his father’s work today with the same passion and dedication. During our visit he shared the family’s story and led us through a tasting of wines. They included:
Frammento Orvieto Classico 2023 (current release): 50% Grechetto/20% Vermentino/20% Sauvignon Blanc/10%, Procanico. Aged in stainless. Deep notes of lemon, green herbs – thyme-lemongrass-white pepper- oleander (grown on property). You can taste the minerality and salinity.
Mare Antico Superiore 2023 DOC. 55% Grechetto, 20% Vermentino, 20% Chardonnay, 5% Procanico. 95% stainless, 5% oak on lees. Nice balance of minerality and softness from lees aging.
Pas Dosage metodo classico 2020. Disgorged in January 2024- 45 months on lees. Chardonnay-Pinot Noir- 50-50. A nice, well aged neutral sparkling wine with light yeast notes, slight salinity and pleasant minerality.
Battito 2022 Sangiovese IGT Umbria Rosso. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, 30% each. Label has a moth on it. Nice balance. Medium tannin. Deep garnet color. Lighter on palate- violets, raspberry, herbal notes.
D. 1212 IGT Umbria 2021. Blend 70% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Montepulciano. 15%. Label has hand with eye in palm- check meaning. Deep purple color. Nice, rich wine and good balance touch of spice+blackberry+dark cherry, almond. Medium tannins.
Watch our conversation with Enzo Barbi on The Connected Table Live TV here