Colli Maceratesi DOC

Colli Maceratesi DOC covers the Province of Macerata and the municipality of Loreto in the Ancona province, sitting at the heart of central Marche. The zone occupies gently rolling hills crossed by the Chienti and Potenza rivers, with vineyards planted up to 450 metres elevation. This position, roughly 30 kilometres from the Adriatic Sea and backed by the Apennine Mountains, gives the appellation a climate that balances continental and maritime influences.

• Covers Province of Macerata and the municipality of Loreto (Ancona province)
• Hilly terrain crossed by Chienti and Potenza rivers
• Maximum vineyard elevation of 450 metres
• Positioned between the Adriatic Sea and Apennine Mountains

The climate is continental with meaningful maritime influence from the Adriatic, producing warm, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Day-to-night temperature variation benefits aromatic development in the grapes. Well-ventilated, luminous conditions across the hillside sites are well suited to viticulture. Soils vary across the zone, with calcareous clay, marl, sandstone, and alluvial deposits all present, contributing to the textural complexity found in the region's wines.

• Continental climate moderated by Adriatic maritime influence
• Warm, dry summers with mild, wetter winters
• Significant diurnal temperature variation supports aromatic grape development
• Soils: calcareous clay, marl, sandstone, and alluvial deposits

Maceratino, also known as Ribona or Montecchiese, is the region's defining grape and has been grown in Marche for hundreds of years. It must comprise at least 70% of Bianco blends. For Rosso wines, Sangiovese leads at a minimum of 50%. The DOC permits a wide range of other varieties including Verdicchio, Pecorino, Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay for whites, and Montepulciano, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Ciliegiolo, Lacrima, and Vernaccia Nera for reds. Styles range from still Bianco and Rosso through Spumante, Passito, Novello, and Riserva.

• Maceratino (Ribona) is the signature white grape; minimum 70% in Bianco wines
• Sangiovese leads red blends at minimum 50% for Rosso
• Minimum alcohol: 11% for whites, 11.5% for reds
• Styles include Bianco, Ribona, Rosso, Spumante, Passito, Novello, and Riserva

Colli Maceratesi received DOC status in 1975, originally as a white wine appellation only. Red wines were formally added to the production rules in 2001, broadening the DOC's scope considerably. The Maceratino grape sits at the heart of the zone's identity, with centuries of cultivation in Marche behind it. The appellation holds DOC classification, sitting within the broader Marche wine region of central Italy.

• DOC granted in 1975, initially for white wines only
• Red wines added to the DOC in 2001
• Maceratino has been cultivated in Marche for hundreds of years
• Part of the broader Marche DOC framework in central Italy

A focused group of producers has built the reputation of Colli Maceratesi DOC. Fontezoppa and Villa Forano are established names working with the zone's native varieties. Boccadigabbia brings additional focus to the appellation, alongside the Saputi brothers and Azienda Saputi. These producers collectively champion the Maceratino grape and help define what Colli Maceratesi wines can achieve.

• Fontezoppa: established producer working with local varieties
• Boccadigabbia: respected name in the appellation
• Villa Forano: key estate in the DOC
• Azienda Saputi and the Saputi brothers: prominent family producers