A renewed expression of its original Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore
April 2025 – Cusercoli, Italy With the release of the 2023 vintage, Poderi dal Nespoli (link) presents a new chapter for one of its most emblematic labels: Prugneto Romagna DOC Sangiovese Superiore (link). A wine that, through a subtle yet precise enological restyling, now seeks to elevate the expressive power of Sangiovese as both a varietal and a territorial identity.
Named after the first vineyard acquired by the founding Ravaioli family in the 1960s, Prugneto has long been a symbol of Romagna’s convivial spirit. Today, it returns to the market with a renewed ambition: to serve as a clear and faithful expression of Romagna Sangiovese, shaped by the land where it was born – the Bidente Valley.
Nestled in the first certified Bio-Symbiotic District in Italy, the Bidente Valley stretches from the Apennine foothills to the Adriatic coast. Here, the hills of Cusercoli – where Prugneto originates – rise to approximately 177 meters above sea level and are shaped by clay-rich soils that retain water and nutrients, contributing to the wine’s structure, aromatic intensity and aging potential.
The Sangiovese grapes for Prugneto are carefully selected and harvested between late September and early October from the estate’s vineyards in this historic plot. Vinification and maturation take place mostly in stainless steel to preserve freshness and varietal purity, while 30% of the blend is aged for a few months in barrels and barriques, adding complexity and subtle texture.
In the glass, Prugneto shows a bright ruby-red color. Aromas are intense, with notes of red fruit, violet, cherry, and plum. On the palate, it offers a fresh and balanced profile, with smooth tannins and a lingering, spicy finish.
With this release, Poderi dal Nespoli reinforces its ongoing path of innovation and precision in the vineyard and the cellar, under the technical direction of renowned oenologist Riccardo Cotarella (link). The renewed Prugneto captures a contemporary vision of Romagna’s wine potential while staying rooted in the identity of its land.
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More than a label: a message from the vineyard
Prugneto is more than a wine — it is a story of vision, identity, and a deep belief in the potential of Romagna Sangiovese.
In the late 1960s, Valerio Ravaioli — second-generation winemaker at Poderi dal Nespoli — set out to redefine the expressive power of this native grape. At a time when such choices were far from common in Romagna, he introduced two forward-thinking practices: lowering yields per hectare to increase concentration, and aging in French oak barriques, techniques that would later become standard for quality winemaking in the region.
But his innovation wasn’t limited to the vineyard and cellar. While visiting a boutique in Saint Tropez, Valerio was struck by the storytelling on simple paper bags used to package the shop’s goods. He returned home inspired, and designed a wine label using the same kind of paper — conceived not just as packaging, but as a true identity card for the wine inside.
That’s how Prugneto was born: a structured and elegant Romagna Sangiovese Superiore, originally from a single vineyard, and still today carrying the spirit of that original vision.
Its motto, unchanged since then, speaks for itself:
“Gli altri fanno il Sangiovese, noi facciamo il Prugneto.”
(“Others make Sangiovese. We make Prugneto.”)
