Fattoria Paradiso is a winery located on a sunny hillock near the medieval city of Bertinoro. Their wines are organic, and they focus on sustainability (55% less glass weight, 93% of energy consumed comes from renewable sources).

Fattoria Paradiso has a 100-ha extension with soil rich in chalk and tufa, making it particularly suitable for the growing of great local rare varietals like Barbarossa (flagship of the winery), Cagnina (a red variety almost extinct), Albana Gentile di Bertinoro, Pagadebit, in addition to Sangiovese di Romagna. 

It is located at medium altitudes, on the first level of the Appennino Tosco-Romagnolo mountainous area overlooking the Adriatic sea. The microclimate of the area and the personal passion of the Pezzi family Their estate includes 10 CRUs which present a fascinating variety of soils: tuff, sulphureous volcanic rock, yellow sand, blue clay, marine fossils, and chalk.

Fattoria Paradiso proudly worked over the years with highly regarded internationally consultant winemakers such as Giacomo Tachis (father among others of Tignanello and Sassicaia), Roberto Cipresso and Carlo Ferrini.

The development of Fattoria Paradiso’s flagship Wine

This wine made with the Barbarossa grape is regarded as the flagship of Fattoria Paradiso. In 1954, during a pre-harvest probe in an old vineyard which was due to be removed, Mario Pezzi noticed a grape variety different from any other.

He was pleasantly surprised by the sweetness and freshness of the grapes but was not able to classify it. He contacted the Agricultural Institute in the nearby city of Cesena. Then the institute of wine growing and oenology “San Michele all’Adige” and also the renowned oenological school of Conegliano. The subsequent analysis showed that the vine did not belong to any of the classified varieties, and a further DNA test confirmed the results. It surmised that it was either an ancient, never cataloged vine type or a spontaneous natural crossbreed. 

Whatever the true origin of this vine, Mario Pezzi decided to propagate it and soon developed a small vineyard, the wine making of which first took place in 1968. It would become an emblem on tables all over the world. The wine was aptly named “Barbarossa”, or red beard, after the red haired emperor who lived in the castle of Bertinoro in the Middle Ages. 

More on the estate

According to some historical documents the building dates back to the 15th century, however it was probably built even before, at the time of the Roman Empire. It overlooks the important Via Aemilia, and this feature, together with some archeological finds in the nearby area hosting the “Villa Mulino”, proved that the castle was regarded as the perfect viewpoint to see the wagons traveling along this road where Aristocratic country houses stood. 

The country house and the surrounding grounds once belonging to the last heir of the Ugarte Lovatelli Aristocratic family, the Duchess Gabriella Ugarte Lovatelli, was bought by the Pezzi family at the end of 19th century. The ancient manor house was the birthplace of Marco Palmezzano, an Italian painter and architect trained by Melozzo da Forlì, and his initials “M.P.” are engraved on the stone pediment above the monumental mantelpiece of the apartment that is usually reserved for the most important guests. Many of these guests have been associated with art, culture, theater, cinema and politics. Such associations with distinguished guests along with frequently organized round tables, dinner parties, conferences, concerts and other cultural events, which are hosted in the highly distinctive and selective environment the Pezzi family has managed to create, have earned this wine shop the name of “Cultural Salon of Romagna”.