Pergola DOC
How to say it
Italy's tiniest DOC, built on a single ancient grape that nearly vanished from the rolling hills of Marche.
Pergola DOC is the smallest and youngest appellation in Pesaro province, covering just 6 hectares in the Marche region. Established in 2005, it is built entirely around Aleatico, a grape cultivated here since 1234. The DOC nearly disappeared entirely, with only two vineyards remaining by 1985.
- Smallest and youngest DOC in Pesaro province, covering only 6 hectares as of 2019
- DOC status granted in 2005, following a campaign that began in 1987
- Built on a single variety: Aleatico, documented in Pergola since 1234
- By 1985, only two vineyards still grew Vernaccia di Pergola vines
- Covers five municipalities: Pergola, Fratte Rosa, Frontone, San Lorenzo in Campo, and Serra Sant'Abbondio
- Minimum 85% Aleatico required for pure Aleatico wines; 60% for Rosato and Rosso
- Passito wines must be naturally dried to 26% sugar and pressed by March 31
History and Origins
Aleatico cultivation in Pergola is documented as far back as 1234, when the city of Gubbio founded the town and introduced the variety. The wine was historically known as Vernaccia di Pergola, a name that reflected its local identity for centuries. By 1985, the tradition had nearly been lost entirely, with just two vineyards still maintaining vines. A recovery campaign launched in 1987 eventually led to the appellation receiving full DOC status in 2005, making it one of the most recently established and smallest protected zones in the Marche.
- Aleatico first documented in Pergola in 1234, introduced when Gubbio founded the town
- Historically sold and known as Vernaccia di Pergola
- Only two vineyards survived with original vines by 1985
- DOC campaign began 1987; official recognition granted 2005
Location and Geography
Pergola DOC sits within the Pesaro province of Marche, central Italy. The appellation encompasses five municipalities: Pergola, Fratte Rosa, Frontone, San Lorenzo in Campo, and Serra Sant'Abbondio. The town of Pergola itself sits at 265 meters elevation. The landscape is characterised by rolling hills with distinct microclimates, and the vineyards benefit from breezes off the Adriatic Sea, which help moderate temperatures during the growing season.
- Located in Pesaro province, Marche, central Italy
- Five municipalities: Pergola, Fratte Rosa, Frontone, San Lorenzo in Campo, Serra Sant'Abbondio
- Town elevation of 265 meters, set on rolling hills
- Adriatic Sea breezes provide an important moderating influence on the microclimate
Climate
The Pergola DOC enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Growing season temperatures range between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, providing reliable ripening conditions for Aleatico. Annual rainfall sits between 700 and 900 millimetres, concentrated primarily in the cooler months. The rolling hill topography creates varied microclimates across the appellation, and Adriatic breezes add a further moderating element.
- Mediterranean climate: warm dry summers, mild wet winters
- Growing season temperatures between 25 and 30°C
- Annual rainfall of 700 to 900 mm
- Rolling hills generate microclimatic variation across the appellation
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Open Wine Lookup →Wines and Grape Requirements
Aleatico is the sole permitted grape variety in Pergola DOC. The regulations require a minimum of 85% Aleatico for wines labelled simply as Aleatico, while Rosato and Rosso styles require at least 60% Aleatico. The DOC authorises a wide range of styles including dry and sweet red and rosato wines, Novello, Superiore, Riserva, Spumante, and Passito. Passito wines follow strict production rules: grapes must be naturally dried to reach 26% sugar content and must be pressed by March 31 of the year following harvest.
- Aleatico is the only permitted variety in the DOC
- Minimum 85% Aleatico for pure Aleatico-labelled wines
- Minimum 60% Aleatico for Rosato and Rosso styles
- Passito must reach 26% sugar through natural drying; pressing deadline is March 31
Aleatico-based wines from Pergola typically display floral and aromatic character with red fruit notes, reflecting the grape's natural perfume. Sweet and Passito styles concentrate these qualities into richer, more intense expressions.
- Fattoria Villa Ligi Aleatico di Pergola$25-40The leading producer in this 6-hectare DOC, offering a benchmark expression of Aleatico from Pergola.Find →
- Pergola DOC established 2005; smallest and youngest DOC in Pesaro province, covering only 6 hectares
- Sole grape variety: Aleatico; minimum 85% for Aleatico-labelled wines, 60% for Rosato/Rosso
- Aleatico cultivation in Pergola documented to 1234; wine historically called Vernaccia di Pergola
- By 1985 only two vineyards remained; recovery campaign launched 1987 led to DOC status
- Passito wines: naturally dried to 26% sugar, must be pressed by March 31