Duemani
BACKGROUND
The name DueMani represents two hands from two people, Elena Celli and Luca D’Attoma. Elena was born and lives in Lucca. She studied marketing at Polimoda in Florence and worked in the fashion industry for many years. Luca was born in Borgo San Lorenzo, outside of Florence. A famous winemaker, he founded a winemaking and viticultural consulting company in 1991 called Wine Evolution Consulting (W.E.C.) through which he collaborates with wineries from various regions of Italy as well as Spain and Switzerland for the production of high quality wines. Luca’s most known credit is probably consulting for the Super Tuscan powerhouse Le Macchiole for over 25 years. During his time at Le Macchiole he created two of Italy’s most famous wines the Messorio Merlot and Paleo Syrah. He also credits Tua Rita’s Redigaffi as one of his creations as well.
“OUR DUEMANI (TWO HANDS)
TO MAINTAIN VITALITY OF SOIL AND PLANTS;
TO GROW HEALTHY AND TASTY GRAPES;
AND TO PRODUCE, WITH OUR PASSION,
UNFORGETTABLE WINES!”
The Duemani winery was founded in 2001 at the turn of the new millennium in the tiny town of Riparbella, high along the Tuscan coastline above Bolgheri. The geography is rough and difficult with clay and large stones throughout the steep vineyards. Th couple originally purchased 7ha of untamed land that had been left uncultivated for years and is surrounded by Mediterranean shrubs. These extraordinary hillside plots smell of the sea and the forest as a continuous light breeze from the coast guarantees exceptional airflow and cool evenings. In these elevated vineyards situated along a severe ridge at 820ft above sea level the sun beams brightly during the day and cools gently at night. This diurnal temperature variation allows for precise and elegant bouquet as well as slow maturation and elegant, balanced complexity.
Together, Elena is the sales engine of the winery while Luca is the enologist and "father" of the vineyards and wines. Through their great effort and determination, they have farmed Biodynamically since the very beginning. This philosophy of respecting and caring for the land, vines, and environment are practiced by all workers and participants at Duemani and is clearly evident in the exquisite wines they produce.
The idea behind establishing the winery on the Coast of Tuscany was to produce wines from their favorite grapes: Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot, and recently a bit of Grenache. Here both climate and soil are ideal for these grape varieties, which grow to reach the perfect balance, full maturation and expression of fruit and terroir.
In order to respect and preserve this immaculate environment DueMani cultivates the land following biodynamic agriculture. The viticulture is accurate and done primarily by manual labor. In this natural way, they produce grapes that give wines full aromas, flavors, and originality.
THE WINE
The wines of Duemani express clear and direct flavors of the varietals from which they are crafted. Each wine represents a specific nuance of the Duemani vineyards and production techniques. All wines are generally fermented and aged in amphora, cement, or large conical French oak 30hl and 35hl barrels. These techniques serve to enhance the flavor profiles without imparting any unnatural flavors or aromas.
Cifra Costa Toscana IGP
Cifra is the lifeblood of Duemani. It is the most accessible expression of their Cabernet Franc and Luca’s favorite variety. The wine is fermented in cement and aged entirely in amphora creating a wide and open wine with precise fruit and broad spice component. Cifra represents the largest production on the estate at 16,000 – 20,000 bottles annually and is presented as the heart and soul of the winery.
Grape Variety: 100% Cabernet Franc
Certification: Biodynamic Demeter
Vineyard Site: Riparbella Vigna Alta and Vigna Mezzo
Altitude: 250m
Vine training: Guyot
Vine age: 15 years
Vine density: 8400 pl/ha
Fermentation : Spontaneous Indigenous Yeast in Cement Tank
Vegan Clearing: Yes
Aging: Cement Tank
Filtration: None
ABV: 14.5%
Cellaring: 8+ years, fine for early drinking
Production: 16,000 bottles
Altrovino Costa Toscana Rosso IGP
A wine with exceptional texture and grace the Altrovino represents the blending of Luca’s two favorite grapes, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The aromatic intensity of the Cab Franc coupled with the lush, rich juiciness of the Merlot creates a powerful and complex wine that suitable for a wide variety of meals and occasions. It is the only blend produced at the winery.
Grape Variety: 50% Cabernet Franc / 50% Merlot
Certification: Biodynamic Demeter
Vineyard Site: Riparbella Vigna Bassa and Vigna Mezzo
Altitude: 220m
Vine training: Guyot
Vine age: 14 years
Vine density: 8400 pl/ha
Fermentation: Separate and Spontaneous Indigenous Yeast in Cement Tank . Part of Cabernet Franc fermented in Orci di Cotto
Vegan Clearing: Yes
Aging: 35hl conical wood cask
Filtration: None
ABV: 14%
Cellaring: 10+ years, fine for early drinking
Production: 15,000 bottles
Duemani Costa Toscana IGP
The eponymously named Duemani is produced from 100% Cabernet Franc grapes representing the best quality of the vintage. The grapes are first harvested for Cifra, then Altrovino, and the last and best are saved for the Duemani. It is a wine that can immediately be recognized as one of the very best Cabernet Franc wines on the planet. Fantastic when young but mind blowing when aged for 8-10+ years.
Grape Variety: 100% Cabernet Franc
Certification: Biodynamic Demeter
Vineyard Site: Riparbella Vigna Alta and Vigna Mezzo
Altitude: 250m
Vine training: Guyot
Vine age: 14 years
Vine density: 8400 pl/ha
Fermentation: Spontaneous Indigenous Yeast in Oak Cask for 30 days
Vegan Clearing: Yes
Aging: 22 months in 90% used and 10% new Barriques
Filtration: None
ABV: 14.5%
Cellaring: 15+ years, fine for early drinking
Production: 5,000 bottles
Suisassi Costa Toscana IGP
The Suisassi is produced from 100% Syrah and represents Elena’s vision of their small patch of Syrah. This tiny bottling rarely exceeds 4,000 bottles but is one of the most important 100% Syrah wines in the world. An elegant, bold, and spicy interpretation with fresh clear dark fruit and potent brambly gamy notes.
Grape Variety: 100% Syrah
Certification: Biodynamic Demeter
Vineyard Site: Riparbella Vigna Centrale
Altitude: 220m
Vine training: Alberello
Vine age: 15 years
Vine density: 8000 pl/ha
Fermentation: Spontaneous Indigenous Yeast in Oak Cask for 20 days
Vegan Clearing: Yes
Aging: 20 months in 90% used and 10% new Barriques
Filtration: None
ABV: 14%
Cellaring: 15+ years, fine for early drinking
Production: 4,000 bottles
Si Costa Toscana Rose’
The Si Rose’ is a beautiful expression of Syrah and is taken from the first pick of grapes that will eventually go into the Suisassi. The grapes are partially destemmed and then soft pressed to obtain the correct color and intensity of fruit. The must is then cold decanted for 2 days and then fermented in 300l amphorae where it remains until bottling.
Grape Variety: 100% Syrah
Certification: Biodynamic Demeter
Vineyard Site: Riparbella Vigna Centrale
Altitude: 220m
Vine training: Alberello
Vine age: 15 years
Vine density: 8000 pl/ha
Fermentation: Spontaneous Indigenous Yeast in Amphora
Vegan Clearing: Yes
Aging: 5-8 months amphora
Filtration: None
ABV: 13.5%
Cellaring: 2-5+ years, fine for early drinking
Production: 4,500 bottles