Modigliana, a municipality in the Forlì area but
historically linked to Faenza, is truly a unique place in the Romagna wine
scene.
Here, clay soils quickly give way to sandy
marl, forests blend with vineyards, and the altitude alters the
climate: cooler and often wind-swept, ideal for producing fragrant, mineral
Sangiovese. The vineyards, smaller and on steeper plots compared to other
subzones, benefit from significant temperature variations, resulting in wines
with great character.
The subzone is divided into three valleys
formed by the streams converging into the Marzeno.
The Acerreta Valley, at the border with
Brisighella, features soils that mix marl and sandstone, often yellow in color.
The altitudes, reaching 350-400 meters above sea level in the Casale area, and
the open exposure to the plain allow the positive influence of sea breezes,
especially during the summer. Here, Sangiovese blends tannic depth with
dynamism, balanced by excellent acidity that ensures longevity.
The Tramazzo Valley – the most central
and most cultivated part of Modigliana – is wide and ventilated, with more
fertile and deeper marl-sandy soils that favor elegant, fresh wines where
the fruit predominates.
The Ibòla Valley is the most extreme:
the soils are lean, almost purely sandy, and the forests are denser. Vineyards
here can reach and exceed 500 meters in altitude; the valley is high and
enclosed, which results in cold springs but more protected autumns. Almost all
the vineyards face south, avoiding the effects of marine winds. In this valley,
Sangiovese takes on a character typical of cooler areas, with a very personal
aromatic profile of spices and herbs, and a sapid and tannic structure with
good finesse and remarkable temperament – excellent for aging.
The Rocca
If you visit Modigliana, don’t miss the
evocative Rocca di Modigliana: built on a medieval structure, it dates
back to when the Guidi Counts dominated the area in the 12th and 13th
centuries. Now in ruins, the Rocca is particularly well-preserved on the east
side, visible from the road leading to Dovadola through Mount Trebbio. This
side features an ancient parallelepipedal structure, probably the original core
of the Rocca, while the west side offers a spectacular view of the massive
tower, consisting of four domed chambers.