Daniela CassoniRome & wine: there is a vineyard on the Ancient Appian Way – UNESCO heritage
Have you ever imagined savoring a wine that comes from soil dating back to Ancient Roman times?
In the heart of the UNESCO ancient Appia Antica Archaeological Park, there is an enchanted vineyard. Let’s discover together the Riserva della Cascina winery.
A family vineyard in the Arecheological park of the Ancient Appian Way
This vineyard, taken from ancient land registry maps, is the treasure of the Brannetti family. Devoted to viticulture for four generations. The farmers produce wines following organic dictates both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Their wines represent a symphony of authenticity and uniqueness. Shaped by the volcanic nature of the soil and the loving care reserved for the vines.
A family vineyard
The saga of this family dates back to 1945. At that time, Giovanni Brannetti, together with his wife Ida, immersed himself in the cultivation of the vineyard in the Roman fields. The youngest son, Giuseppe, heir to the family passion for the land, soon joined his father in the winemaking arts. From the beginning, they chose to embrace a path without herbicides or chemical fertilizers. While Giuseppe and his wife Daniela dedicated themselves to the perfection of their wines, the land gave its fruits with ever greater generosity. In 1986, the acquisition of a vineyard in the Appia Antica Park gave birth to the Azienda Riserva della Cascina, which in 1994 obtained the much-coveted organic certification.
Silvia & Giuseppe Brannetti at the Riserva della Cascina with Daniela Cassoni – Founder of Gourmetaly
The wines of the Riserva della Cascina
The company produces a wide range of wines, white, rosé, red, still and sparkling. After the first triumph with the white wine Marino Superiore, the company moved towards the creation of white and red wines such as Gallieno and Costa di Basalto. Between the vineyards and the cellar, between passion and commitment, Giuseppe and Daniela carved their destiny in winemaking. The company’s sales point soon became a meeting place for connoisseurs, a sanctuary of flavors and traditions.
At riserva della Cascina they use only natural ways to protect the plants from the bugs and diseases
Certified organic wines
The organic choice, both in the vineyard and in the cellar, reflects a deep respect for the land and for the consumer. With a careful eye on nature, the use of sulphites is limited and ingredients of animal origin are avoided. Thus guaranteeing a wine that tastes of authenticity and respect. In every sip of the wines of the Riserva della Cascina you can find the soul of the territory, the wisdom of ancient winemaking techniques and the love for the land.
The red colored line is the ancient lava road built by the eruption of the dead Volcano laziale
A volcanic land as ancient as Rome
The vines, rooted in volcanic soil, draw nourishment from a fertile and healthy land. The soil, buried under the thousand-year-old stones of the Via Appia Antica. This, carries with it the memory of ancient eruptions, giving the wines of the Riserva della Cascina a unique minerality. Among the native varieties that populate the vineyard, the Bombino Bianco stands out for its versatility, giving still and sparkling wines of rare elegance. The Classic Method, which gives life to the fine sparkling wines of the farmhouse, uses ancient refinement rituals. As a result, wines give uniqueness and fullness to each sip.
Spending lovely times with the Brannetti family tasting lovely wines
New generations of independent winemakers are growing up
Since 2017, Riserva della Cascina has been part of the Federazione Italiana Vignaioli Indipendenti, an association that celebrates the authenticity and passion of the winemakers who give life to their wines with dedication and love. Silvia, guardian of this family tradition, warmly welcomes those who wish to savor the treasures of the farmhouse, offering a unique journey through the scents and flavors of a territory that lives and breathes history and tradition.
Some of the wines of the gamma from Riserva della Cascina
IX Miglio bianco – Lazio IGT white
The wine takes its name from the position of the vineyard, located at the ninth mile of the ancient Appian Way, and is an excellent representation of the territory with a history that dates back to antiquity. Characterized by a strong mineral component and salty tones, while maintaining a delicate and pleasant profile. This wine has a full-bodied taste that pairs well with Roman dishes. The grapes used for this wine are Malvasia Puntinata, an excellent grape variety, and Malvasia di Candia. The nose perceives hints of white-fleshed fruit, citrus, wild flowers and flint.
IX Miglio Rosso – Lazio IGT Red
This wine is produced using Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Merlot grapes. The vineyards are located exactly at the ninth mile of the ancient Appian Way, from which the wine takes its name. The maceration on the skins and the alcoholic fermentation in steel last from 10 to 12 days, giving the wine a ruby red color. The nose perceives a refined bouquet with notes of red fruits, balsamic accents, tobacco, licorice and a ferrous mineral note. It is a full-bodied, warm and soft wine, quite fresh and savory, ideal with red meats, legume soups, aged cheeses and cold cuts.
Malvasia puntinata is a unique local grape variety. It is one of the necessary grapes for the Frascati wine
Gallieno Lazio IGT – Malvasia Puntinata
(I loved this wine). Gallieno wine comes exclusively from 100% Malvasia Puntinata grapes. It takes its name from the Roman emperor Gallienus, known for being a valiant leader of the third century. But also engaged in the cultural renaissance of the Roman Empire. The vineyard is located right in front of the mausoleum of Gallienus along the ancient Via Appia, hence the homage. The white vinification is followed by aging in steel for at least 8 months. It has a straw yellow color with greenish reflections and an intense aroma of citrus fruits, wild flowers, chalk, dust and flint. Very rich in minerality, so perfect in combination with raw fish, shellfish, white meats, mushroom and vegetable dishes. Perfect for the happy hour time.
Costa di Basalto – Red wine
Produced exclusively from Syrah grapes, this wine stands out for its unique elegance, expressing itself best on volcanic soils. After maceration on the skins, fermentation and aging in steel. So, the wine is resulting in a ruby red with purple hues. On the nose, intense notes of red fruits, wild strawberry jam, blueberries emerge, with a ferrous mineral background. On the palate, it is dry, soft, with a pleasant flavor and a balanced body. Excellent paired with pork, vegetable soups, carbonara pasta, medium-aged cheeses, eggplant parmigiana.
Riserva della Cascina makes a lovely Rosè wine, high in minerality and rich in flavor.
La Via delle Rose – rosè
This is perhaps one of the most surprising rosé wines of Lazio. It is an expression of Sangiovese vinified in white, pale pink in color. On the nose it is extremely fine elegant with floral notes of pink magnolia strawberry raspberry and orange blossom. The taste is dry and warm fresh and savory, ideal with appetizers and raw fish, moreover pizza and fresh cheeses. It also goes very well with white meats and vegetable-based dishes.
Domina Lazio IGT Grechetto – white wine
This wine is produced with Grechetto grapes, which give the wine an ideal structure for long aging. It pairs perfectly with cuisine thanks to its light tannins. Permanence on the lees for 12 months for this wine which ages mainly in steel at 95% and the remaining 5% in barrique. Therefore, Domina wine sweeten slightly without hiding the acidity and aromas. After this phase, the wine rests in the bottle for at least six months. On the nose, you can perceive fruity aromas of apricot, yellow flowers, broom, along with mineral notes of graphite. Mediterranean scrub, rosemary and myrtle are present too. So, Domina wine pairs perfectly with white meats, porchetta, fish, shellfish and with structured first courses based on vegetables.
daniela cassoni 
