An Exclusive Interview with Francesca Margiotta of theAward-winning Margiotta Winery

We all like to drink it, but how many of us know the specifics behind winemaking?  In Italy, and especially Abruzzo, winemaking is a family affair.  Today we are speaking with Francesca Margiotta, the current oenologist at the Margiotta Winery in Pratola Peligna, Italy.

1. How did you get started in the wine business?
The wine business in Italy usually runs in the family.  I am the 5th generation to take charge of The Margiotta Winery.  The vineyards were originally planted by my great, great, great, great-grandfather, Gabriele, in 1910.  

2. What is your winemaking style?
We have several winemaking styles at the winery.  We have a full-bodied red called Montepulciano D' Abruzzo, Cerasuola - a medium rose, Pecorino - a medium white, and a sparkling.brut.  The best way to explore the different styles of wine is to attend a wine tasting for yourself.  Get to know your preferences.  An experienced wine expert or sommelier can help you.

3. How do you KNOW when you have a particularly good vintage?
Good weather during vintage without fungus, allowing full maturity of all grapes, would make a good vintage.  But it's hard to say until October because anything can happen with the weather!  We've seen hail and ice in May, or a particularly dry spring (this spring/summer, for example, it has only rained twice so we needed to manually water the vines), the vines could mature too soon or too late. You can only tell at the end when the grapes are fungus free and have clarity.

4. Why do we sometimes see roses at the front of the line of grapes?
The roses are there as an early warning system to signal that fungus is present and will soon attack the grapes.  The fungus will attack the roses first so we see that the roses are full of fungus we must work quickly to protect the vines.  This is usually done by spraying with sulfur.  It's the only way.  I don't use the rose bush method now (its an old tradition). I use a modern method of controlling the soil and monitoring the health of the vines.

5. In the world of wine, who do you most admire and why? Who influenced you?
I have followed the Donnafugata Winery in Sicily.  They are modern and forward-thinking.  I especially love their marketing through their labels.  Each label represents a woman\s head with windblown hair which was inspired by a novel.
The name Donnafugata refers to the novel by Tomasi di Lampedusa entitled Il Gattopardo (The Leopard). It means “donna in fuga” (woman in flight) and refers to the story of a princess who found refuge in the part of Sicily where the company’s vineyards are located today.

6. Where did you go to school?
I went to the University of Bologna Alma Matar Studiorum for 3 years to study Enology and Viticulture, that was followed by a year in Florence specializing in the Marketing and Operations of Wineries. 
 
8. Do you have a favorite wine or vintage that you have made?
Of course: the first wine I produced after university was The Vellus-a sparkling brut and I won the BEST SPARKING WINE in Italy at the VinItaly Competition.  I was so proud of winning with my first wine ever!

9. What is one of the hardest things about winemaking year in and year out?
The hardest part is trying to control all the aspects of the winery, for example, the technology, nature, physical and chemical components of vinification plus the selling, marketing and general operations.

​10. What is rewarding about your job?
I work in the vineyard because it is my passion. To have someone on the other side of the world who appreciates your wine is the most rewarding part of my job.  

If you are interested in visiting Abruzzo and experiencing the wonderful wines and wineries, or maybe even taking part in the wine harvest in October, click on the photo to see see specific itineraries or contact us at [email protected] today.