Wine Producer Spotlight: Chiara Condello
Predappio’s Rising Star: Chiara Condello and the Art of Sangiovese
When it comes to Sangiovese in Romagna, there’s one name that keeps popping up: Chiara Condello. Young, passionate, and uncompromisingly talented, she’s redefining what this historic corner of central Italy can produce. While Tuscany often steals the spotlight, Condello is putting her home in Predappio firmly on the map with Sangiovese that balances elegance, energy, and finesse.
A Sense of Place
Predappio, a quiet hilltop village southeast of Bologna, may not yet have Tuscany’s fame, but it has centuries of winemaking history — with roots reaching back to Roman and even Etruscan times. Many consider Romagna the original home of the Sangiovese grape, long before it became iconic in Tuscany.
The soils here are complex: layers of marl and spungone — a porous, calcareous sandstone — give the wines a striking minerality and depth. Chiara grew up surrounded by this rich viticultural heritage. Her family’s Condé estate was founded by her father, Francesco Condello, in 2001, and Chiara joined the operation in her early twenties, eventually taking over vineyard and cellar responsibilities.
After studying economics in Milan, Chiara returned home with a clear vision: to make wines that reflect both the unique terroir of Predappio and her own evolving voice as a winemaker. In 2015 she launched her eponymous project, farming nearly 5 hectares of Sangiovese organically, favoring manual work in the vineyard and minimal intervention in the cellar.
Her winemaking philosophy is rooted in respect — for the vine, the soil, and the long tradition of Italian viticulture. She often uses open-top fermenters, long macerations, and spontaneous indigenous yeast ferments, with aging in large neutral vessels like Slavonian oak botti and concrete to preserve purity and expressiveness.
Wines That Speak of Place
Chiara’s wines are singular expressions of Predappio’s terroir. The classic Sangiovese di Romagna Predappio shows vibrant red fruits, floral lift, and a mineral core that feels both energetic and refined — more reminiscent of fine Burgundy than stereotypical robust Italian reds. Critics describe these wines as balanced, with juicy acidity and spice notes that keep the palate captivated.
Yet it’s her Riserva, “Le Lucciole”, that has truly ignited excitement among sommeliers and collectors. Medium-plus in body with fine-grained tannins and a plush texture, it delivers layers of dried orange peel, violets, tomato leaf, black pepper, and underbrush — all supported by Sangiovese’s signature energetic acidity.
Some of her most ambitious offerings, like Lo Stralisco, a tiny cuvée from select parcels, demonstrate just how far Chiara’s craft has matured. Aged for extended periods and produced only in exceptional years, these wines show savory mineral depth and complexity that rival legends in Italy’s more famous regions.
The Verdict
Chiara’s Sangiovese isn’t about sheer concentration or heavy oak — it’s about clarity and precision. Her wines pair beautifully with food — from rustic local dishes to modern cuisine — and can be just as satisfying with simply grilled meat as they are with slow-braised lamb or rich pasta sauces.
Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or simply exploring Italian wines, Condello’s portfolio is proof that greatness isn’t confined to the usual suspects. Emilia-Romagna, often overlooked, can produce Sangiovese with elegance and vitality that rival the best of Tuscany.
For anyone interested in the next wave of Italian classics, Predappio and Chiara Condello are essential stops on the wine map. These wines are a reminder that history and innovation can coexist beautifully. Some of the most compelling Sangiovese in the world is being made by a visionary winemaker in a region that’s finally getting its due.
