History

From the origins to the Medieval time
There is a large number of historic evidence about the wines produced in the area of Montefalco.

In the I century a.C., Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historiae mentions the Itriola grape as the typical variety of Montefalco and researchers compare this to the present Sagrantino. As Sagrantino does not show any resemblance with other varieties that grow in central Italy, researchers claim that Sagrantino's origins are exclusive to Montefalco, while others believe that Sagrantino originally came from Asia Minor and it was taken to Montefalco by followers of San Francis of Assisi. Sagrantino is probably named after the term "Sacramenti", the religious services when this red wine was probably used.

Another important piece of evidence are the carvings representing vineyards in the area surrounding Montefalco in the apse of the Medieval church of San Bartolomew.

In Montefalco's historic archive there are several documents dating back to 1200  where "the care of vine-growers take in following their vineyards" is described. In the first half of 1300 a new rules of law regulating the issue are released to "safeguard vines and wine" of the area of Montefalco.

The Renaissence
In 1451 the famous Florentine painter Benozzo da Gozzoli was hired by the Franciscans to decorate with frescoes the apse of their church which today is one of the most important Museums of Central Italy. The subject of the Frescoes is the life of San Francis. In the episode of Knight of Celani the bottle of a dessert red wine portrayed on the table of the Knight is probably Sagrantino.

Vine-growing and wine making was a most serious issue in Montefalco, so much so that in 1540 a regulation of the Commune established the date for the beginning of the harvest.

During the Renaissance Montefalco's wine is very well known and appreciated as a quality wine, so much so that Cipriano Piccolpasso in his famous report to the Pope about the territory under his rule states that: "...Montefalco, laying on top of a hill with a marvellous view, is surrounded by beautiful and good vineyards, and with the fruit makes delicate wines..." Wine-growing was such a serious matter that in 1622 Cardinal Boncompagni establishes "the death penalty by hanging for those who are found to cut a grape vine".

The modern age
In 1800 Calindri in his historical and statistical report of the territories of the Pope, mentions Montefalco as the area producing the best quality wine in the state.

In 1925 during an important wine fair, Montefalco is regarded as the leading wine region in Umbria: "Montefalco is the leading wine growing area with specialised vineyards with an average production of 6.5 t per hectare" thus proving that Sagrantino tends to be a low yielding variety.

On October 30, 1979 the Appellation DOC Sagrantino is created and on November 5, 1992 the top appellation DOCG is awarded to Sagrantino. This date marks a turning point in the story of Sagrantino and of the entire area of Montefalco promoting its future economic and cultural development.