The spirit of winemakers & their territory
Who We are
Founded by Camillo Zulli and six other growers in 1964, Cantina Orsogna (the producer of Spiritus Terrae), has expanded to a cooperative of 600+ farmers, all struck with the passion for the land they grow on. The farmers possess a powerful desire to achieve a greater level of integration and reciprocity between themselves, the terroir, community, and wildlife. This achieves wine that is honest and neighborly – happiness in a drink.
- 450+ Winegrowers, 150+ Olive Growers
- Community driven – the winery works closely with the BABALU charity organization that helps integrate those with special needs into the community.
the true wealth of the italian viticulture
Bio Cantina Orsogna dedicates the project SPIRITUS TERRAE to native vines, the true wealth of the Italian viticulture. Italy is the first country in the world for quantity of autochthonous vines (545 different grape varieties compared to worldwide 1,300) from which unique and not replicable wines are obtained, connected to the vineyards and the particular pedoclimatic conditions of our peninsula. In recent years there has been a strong international focus on indigenous grapes in opposition to the standardized world wine production based on a few grape varieties.
The Spiritus Terrae labels are the ampelographic tables of the grapevine varieties used to produce this wine line. Ampelography became a testimony of the farming culture in the 19th century and the Spiritus Terrae labels are inspired by the Italian ampelographers who described and illustrated, in accurate and beautiful tables, the overview of the fruiting varieties (including vine) present in Italy in those years.
How we practice
SPIRITUS TERRAE wines are faithful to the authentic grape flavors, no technical practice that covers the varietal aromas typical of the territory and the vintage. In a vast wine scene, made of hundreds of different grape varieties, it is very important to know the wine characteristics and its connection to the grape variety. In order to guarantee the quality and typicality, Spiritus Terrae wines are vinified from grapes coming only from organic vineyards, which are biodiversity and biodynamic certified and following the standards of spontaneous biodynamic winemaking (Demeter).
The Advantages of Spontaneous Fermentation
- Spontaneous fermentations are carried out by indigenous yeasts coming from the microbial biodiversity of the territory which naturally moves to the grape.
- During fermentation no sulfites are added as they weaken indigenous yeasts present on the grapes skin, which play a key role for the spontaneous fermentation and the connection between the wine and the territory.
Why biodynamic wine
- All the beings, human and animal, working in harmony with nature to protect and preserve the health of our planet, our communities and you
- Regenerate soil fertility, & protect biodiversity & promote interconnectedness
featured wines
Spiritus terrae montepulciano d'abruzzo dop
Most cultivated vine in Abruzzo on whose origin there are different versions. The most reliable one is linked to the Medici who in their Barony of Carapelle (17th century) transferred vine cultivation techniques and propagation material from Tuscany. The exchanges between Carapelle and Tuscany were not limited only to the vine but also to the excellent wool which was transferred from the peaks of the Apennines to Florence from where, once processed, it was sold throughout Europe. Flagship of the territory, from its grapes a wine with a strong qualitative imprint is obtained, with a deep and lively color, a dense aroma with typical cherry notes and a varied and complex bouquet.
- OVERALL: Fresh & Satisfying
AROMAS/FLAVORS: Berries, Spice, & Almond - PAIRINGS: Soft Cheese, Sliced Beef, Kebab
- CEPAGE: 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
- MOUTHFEEL: Tannic & Refreshing
spiritus terrae trebbiano d'abruzzo dop
- OVERALL: Fresh & Harmonious
AROMAS/FLAVORS: White Flowers, Fresh Fruits - PAIRINGS: Seafood, turkey, appetizers with light sauces
- CEPAGE: 100% Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
- MOUTHFEEL: Soft & Elegant
- WINEMAKING: Spontaneous Fermentation