Carraia
Summary
La Carraia is a collaborative Umbrian winery established in the 1980s by the Giardoni family and enologist Riccardo Cotarella, producing Orvieto DOC and Lago di Corbara DOC wines from vineyards benefiting from Lake Corbara's moderating microclimate. Their methodical approach balances indigenous varieties like Grechetto and Sangiovese with international grapes, employing technical precision throughout production to create wines that authentically express Umbrian terroir while setting quality standards for the region.
Heritage & Leadership
La Carraia was established in the late 1980s as a collaborative venture between two families with deep roots in Italian viticulture: the Giardoni family, local landowners in Umbria, and Riccardo Cotarella, one of Italy's most respected enologists. The winery is situated near the historic town of Orvieto in southwestern Umbria, a region with winemaking traditions dating back to Etruscan times. The partnership combined the Giardoni family's agricultural expertise and land holdings with Cotarella's technical knowledge and winemaking vision. Since its founding, La Carraia has maintained this dual leadership structure, with both families actively involved in the winery's operations and strategic direction.
Vineyards & Wines
La Carraia's vineyards spread across the hills surrounding Lake Corbara in the Orvieto DOC zone. The estate encompasses vineyards planted with both indigenous varieties traditional to Umbria and international grape varieties. The indigenous plantings include Grechetto and Procanico (the local biotype of Trebbiano), which form the backbone of their Orvieto wines, alongside Sangiovese for their red productions. The international varieties cultivated include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. The vineyards benefit from the moderating influence of Lake Corbara and the Tiber River, creating a microclimate that supports optimal grape ripening. The portfolio includes wines produced under the Orvieto DOC, Umbria IGT, and Lago di Corbara DOC designations, reflecting both the regional traditions and the winery's contemporary approach to winemaking.
Philosophy & Practice
La Carraia's winemaking philosophy balances respect for Umbrian traditions with modern viticultural and enological practices. The winery employs temperature-controlled fermentation for their white wines to preserve aromatic freshness, particularly in their Orvieto productions. For red wines, the approach includes careful management of maceration times and judicious use of oak aging to develop complexity while maintaining fruit expression. The winery has invested in modern cellar equipment while maintaining traditional aspects of production where they add value to the final wines. La Carraia's approach reflects the technical precision that Riccardo Cotarella is known for, with attention to detail in both vineyard management and winemaking processes. This methodical approach extends from harvest timing decisions through to bottling, with each step designed to express the characteristics of the varieties and their Umbrian terroir.