Cianfagna
Summary
Cianfagna is a small family-owned winery in Toro, Molise, focused on producing Tintilia del Molise DOC from indigenous grapes grown in clay-limestone soils at 400-600 meters elevation, where continental climate with Mediterranean influences creates ideal growing conditions. Their minimal intervention approach combines traditional methods with thoughtful aging techniques, yielding authentic expressions of Molise's distinctive terroir that remain largely undiscovered by mainstream wine consumers.
Heritage & Leadership
Cianfagna is a family-owned winery established in the rural countryside of Molise, Italy. Founded by Angelo Cianfagna, the estate is situated in Toro, a small commune in the province of Campobasso. The Cianfagna family has deep agricultural roots in this region, with their winemaking operations representing a continuation of traditional farming practices that have characterized this part of Molise for generations. The winery remains under family management, with production focused on indigenous varieties that reflect the distinctive terroir of this lesser-known Italian wine region.
Vineyards & Wines
The Cianfagna vineyards are located in the hills surrounding Toro in Molise's Campobasso province, at elevations ranging from 400 to 600 meters above sea level. The estate focuses primarily on Tintilia, Molise's signature indigenous red grape variety, which has been cultivated in the region for centuries. Their vineyards benefit from the area's continental climate with Mediterranean influences, featuring significant day-night temperature variations that contribute to aromatic complexity in the grapes. The soils are predominantly clay and limestone, providing good drainage while retaining sufficient moisture during the region's dry summers. Cianfagna produces a focused portfolio of wines, with their Tintilia del Molise DOC representing the flagship offering, alongside wines made from Montepulciano and several white varieties traditional to the area.
Philosophy & Practice
Cianfagna's approach to winemaking centers on minimal intervention techniques that allow the expression of Molise's distinctive terroir. The winery employs traditional vinification methods, including temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel for their white wines, while their red wines typically undergo longer maceration periods to extract appropriate structure and character. For their Tintilia wines, aging takes place in a combination of stainless steel and used oak barrels, preserving the variety's natural characteristics while adding subtle complexity. Harvest is conducted manually, allowing for careful selection of fruit at optimal ripeness. The winery's production remains deliberately small-scale, enabling attention to detail throughout the winemaking process and reflecting the artisanal approach that characterizes many of Molise's family-owned estates.