Scacciadiavoli
The name Scacciadiavoli derives from the nickname given by the locals to an exorcist who lived in a village on the border with the property. It is said that one day he was entrusted with a young woman, who seemed to be possessed by her, to free her from the devil. He tried everything about her: magic formulas, infusions, prayers, but failing her intent, as her last remedy, he made her drink local red wine, drunk her. The young woman came to her senses: it was the exorcist’s wine that freed her from the devil and over time, even the village where the exorcist had lived was called Scacciadiavoli.
What is striking about the Scacciadiavoli winery, even more than the history and folklore, is the estate itself. Splendid and immense, nestled between green hills swept by the wind: it seems to go back in time. Everything is immersed in the silence of the countryside, as it must have been at the end of the nineteenth century when the cellar was born. The central body of the estate develops around a large patio, surrounded by high walls. In the background, the central block that houses the steel tanks and all the modern equipment for winemaking, downstairs one of the most impressive cellars we have ever seen.
At the helm of the winery, today is Liù, a young heir of the Pambuffetti family, who completed his studies in Bordeaux and who confidently manages the company, oriented towards organic farming and the production of typical wines, Grechetto and Sagrantino primarily. The style of the wines of the Scacciadiavoli winery is very clean, elegant: finesse is preferred to the structure. The wines are aged for a long time and are only put on the market when they are ready and polished. The blend is modern, but always with the utmost respect for the Montefalco terroir. Being one of the most representative wineries in Umbria is not easy, but the Pambuffetti family holds high the name of Sagrantino.
Brut Metodo Classico
Let’s start with the bubbles. This sparkling wine, 85% Sagrantino and 15% Chardonnay, is particularly seductive. The bouquet is large, with white flowers, pears, apples, apricots and bread crust. The perlage is fine, the body agile, supported by a hint of tannin that makes this sparkling wine suitable for dim sum, Chianina cured meats or shrimp tempura.
Brut Metodo Classico Rosé
Pure Sagrantino. The color is a candy pink that intrigues. Cherries in jelly, geranium, brioche, wild strawberries, currants and a drizzle of musk. On the palate, it is very smooth, lively, with a velvety tannin that creeps between the layers of minerality. A sharp rosé that can be paired with mustard rabbit blanquette, lobster carpaccio, but above all Thai soups based on curry, prawns and coconut milk, egg in ravioli.
Grechetto of Umbria
Fresh, savory, simple, with a roundness that stimulates drinking. Peaches and flowers, pear and seaweed, in this classic white from the Martani hills you will find a perfect wine for tasty fish dishes, wonton or fettuccine with bottarga.
Rosso di Montefalco
The bouquet is a heart of plums, cherries and rhubarb, enclosed by a frame of spices, including coconut, cinnamon and cocoa. You can feel the wood, but just wait a moment for all the freshness of the fruit to emerge. In the mouth the tannin is decisive, but smooth, giving structure to the wine. Alcohol does not hide, it makes the wine full and warm, in line with the 2008 vintage, not easy for the rains, but overall interesting. A versatile wine of which it is good to keep a few bottles in the cellar just in case: grilled, polenta with luganega and puzzone di Moena, umbricelli with truffles, hamburgers.
Montefalco Sagrantino
An intense garnet elixir from which sweet spices emerge and the classic bouquet of purebred Sagrantino: plum, blueberry, cherries in alcohol. Everything is fine, refined by references of bitter chocolate, black cherry liqueur, tobacco, eucalyptus and a thread of star anise that lightens this warm symphony. On the palate, it is very pleasant, balanced, with an explosion of cola, dry leaves, algae, cocoa, black olives, stones and moss scattered in an Autumn forest. After an hour it opens in all its splendor, tends to jam, but without parkerizing and the spirals of tobacco, licorice and earth become more intense, warm, beautifully blended with fruit. Impetuous but fine tannins; in five years it will reach its full maturity. To be paired with wild boar stew, grilled ribs with barbecue sauce, aged pecorino di Moliterno, but also pasta with truffles.
Montefalco Sagrantino Passito
The Sagrantino passito of the Scacciadiavoli winery is a safety carved in stone, produced only in the best vintages. Not only is it delicious and very typical with cocoa, vanilla, cooked black cherries, coffee cream, after eight, candied plums and berry jelly, but above all it is austere, elegant, never too sweet — a rare quality in a passito. It remains fine, with puffs of mint that accompany a hot fruit without ever losing vivacity. The juicy tannins make it perfect for pairing with blue cheeses such as Cheddar or with tiramisu or a raspberry and chocolate cheesecake.
To visit the estate, ask for information on shipping or buy Sagrantino from the Scacciadiavoli winery, ask for Ms. Liù.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0742 371210
Fax: 0742 378272
Where is the Scacciadiavoli winery: Cantinone locality, 06036, Montefalco, Perugia
Hectares: 32
Bottles produced: 220000
Oenologist: Stefano Chioccioli
Services offered by the Scacciadiavoli winery
- tasting room
- direct sales in the cellar and shipments throughout Italy
- walks in the vineyards
- visits to the historic cellar