Umbria’s Wine Scene: Azienda Agricola Carini

Father Armando and sons Carlo and Marco Carini - photo courtesy of Azienda Agricola Carini

The rich history of Carini began in the mid 1800’s: Peppino farmed livestock and, in those days, the family produced wine and olive oil simply for their own means. It wasn't until the 1970’s that Armando and Bruna Carini began to market their products locally. After the passing of Armando, the sons, Carlo and Marco, set out to transform the established lands into vineyards, olive groves, and wild areas to raise ‘cinta senese’ pigs and sheep for milking. Although the two sons did not continue their father’s love for certain agricultural practices, they did see an opportunity to grow the business and bring even more recognition to their family and the region they proudly call home.

Modern winemaking facilities of Azienda Agricola Carini - photo courtesy of Azienda Agricola Carini

The Carini lands had been worked for 3 generations before the sons took over, which gave them the confidence they needed to change. Fast forward 20 years and Azienda Agraria Carini produces some of the most sought after products in Umbria. Their wines are simply exquisite and pair perfectly with the excellencies produced on the same lands. What is that old adage? - What grows together goes together!

Many of their vineyards fall under the Colli del Trasimeno DOC and the entirety of their working farm is certified organic. They are the only producer in Umbria to raise, slaughter, and process ‘cinta senese’ pigs in the same facilities (normally a Tuscan practice). The brothers have worked closely with the same esteemed enologist, Maurilio Chioccia, since the birth of the project and rightly so; the man makes clean wines that push boundaries and intrigue all kinds of consumers.

Wine barrels at Carini’s winery - photo courtesy of Azienda Agricola Carini

Pull off the ‘main’ road to the tasting room and you'll find the location is a rustic working farm: tractors milling about, pigs eating noisily, and finally an unassuming tasting room awaits. As you step foot into the tasting room you are taken aback by the careful restoration of the original farmhouse. Ancient stonewalls, arches, and doorways await, setting the perfect scene to taste this classy lineup. If this is the quality one can expect from Colli del Trasimeno fruit - consider me an instant convert!
The vineyards are gently sloped along Mount Tezio and enjoy temperature controlled seasons due to the lake effect of Lago Trasimeno - Umbria’s largest body of water and the fourth largest surface mass in Italy. Although the brothers made, what may have seemed like, a drastic change to their family’s business, their vision has remained the same as those who came before them; to honour the ancient lands.

Restored farmhouse and tasting room - photo courtesy of Azienda Agricola Carini

The local support of this cantina is so large that most of their wine production is sold within Umbria every vintage, which is no small feat as the average yearly production is around 40,000 bottles. The winery sees visitors from all over the world and maintains successful export relationships in Northern Europe. Carini wines, without a doubt, appeal to the international palate and the Cantina looks forward to continuing their footprint in other major markets. They do a remarkable job of authentically offering many true excellencies of Umbria under one roof. This is a family worth exploring.