Sangiovese has been culturally entwined with Romagna for centuries, with local legend suggesting Roman monks coined its name, Sanguis Jovis ("Blood of Jupiter"). According to the local tale there was an important guest at a Capuchin monastery on Monte Giove (Mount Jove), a holy hill close to the town of Santarcangelo di Romagna. The guest was so impressed by the local wine that he asked the name. A quick-witted friar came up with a name on the spot for the then unnamed wine, Sanguis Jove, or “blood of Jove.” Over time, this name is said to have evolved into Sangiovese. There is even a memorial stone on Monte Giove to mark this tale.
Unlike its Tuscan counterpart, which was historically blended with other varietals, Romagna winemakers traditionally vinified Sangiovese as a pure, monovarietal wine, known for its distinct, albeit sometimes rustic, character. While the region’s output was long associated with simple table wine, the establishment of the Romagna Sangiovese DOC in 1967 marked a turning point. Modern producers now champion refined, quality-focused expressions that highlight the grape's unique local clones and deep historical roots in the region's hilly terrain.
Within Romagna you have, Predappio a historic village nestled in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains in Romagna, widely considered one of the most prestigious subzones for growing Sangiovese. The area is notable for its unique soil composition, particularly the presence of "spungone," a Pliocene-era marine sedimentary rock rich in fossils, which imparts a distinct minerality, structure, and spicy character to the wines. Predappio is renowned for producing age-worthy, high-quality expressions of the native Sangiovese clone (Sangioveto dal Cannello Piccolo Predappio), which features smaller berries and thicker skins than other varieties. Since gaining official subzone recognition in 2011, local winemakers, such as Chiara Condello and Noelia Ricci, have focused on crafting pure, terroir-driven Sangiovese that balances vibrant acidity and dark cherry fruit with nuanced notes of herbs and earth.
Explore our collection of Romagna Sangiovese below.
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