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Spotlight: Ciù Ciù Winery
- Sales Team
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
Where the Train Whistle Meets the Vineyard: The Enchanting Story of Ciù Ciù
In the heart of Italy's Marche region, a family winery carries forward a legacy written in soil, sunshine, and the distant echo of railway romance
The name alone makes you smile—Ciù Ciù—mimicking the cheerful chug of a steam train. But there's poetry in this playful moniker, a tribute to grandfather Bartolomei who spent his days working the railways, never knowing his family would one day craft liquid sonnets from the very hills he watched roll by his train window.
A Landscape Painted by Nature's Hand
Picture this: rolling Piceno hills stretch like green velvet between two of Italy's most dramatic landmarks—the sparkling Adriatic Sea and the majestic Sibillini Mountains. Here, where coastal breezes dance with mountain air, Natalino and Anna Bartolomei planted their dreams in 1970, determined to create wines that would sing the story of their extraordinary terroir.
The location is nothing short of magical. Offida's elevated position captures those precious Adriatic breezes that sweep inland, tempering the Mediterranean heat and creating the perfect climate for both indigenous treasures and international favourites. The neighbouring municipalities of Tronto and Tesino have earned reputations as wine-growing powerhouses, and Ciù Ciù stands proudly among them, a testament to the region's remarkable potential.
Where Ancient Meets Modern
Across 180 hectares of carefully tended vineyards, the Ciù Ciù brothers—carrying forward their parents' vision—practice a delicate dance between honouring tradition and embracing innovation. Their commitment to organic and biodynamic farming isn't just trendy environmentalism; it's a deep respect for the land that has given their family so much.
This is where Italy's viticultural heritage comes alive. Among the rows, you'll discover rare indigenous gems like Passerina and Pecorino—grape varieties that speak in the ancient dialect of the Marche region. But the estate also welcomes international varietals like Merlot, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, and Montepulciano, creating a harmonious blend of old-world soul and new-world sophistication.
Wines That Tell Stories
Every bottle from Ciù Ciù is a chapter in the estate's ongoing love letter to its homeland. Take their Bacchus—aptly named for the Roman god of wine—a charismatic red blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano that dances on your palate with notes of fresh strawberry and cherry, finished with an intriguing whisper of liquorice. It's the kind of wine that makes you pause, close your eyes, and imagine the sun setting over those Piceno hills.
For those who prefer their stories told in white, the estate's Pecorino is nothing short of revelatory. This elegant expression of a beautifully revived Italian grape variety unfolds like a sensory journey—banana and apple greet you first, followed by the warm embrace of hazelnut, all leading to a finish as refreshing as those Adriatic breezes that nurture the vines.
The Sound of Legacy
More than half a century after that first vintage, Ciù Ciù continues to prove that great wine isn't just about technique or terroir—it's about respect. Respect for the land, for tradition, and for the unique character that can only emerge when grapes are allowed to express their truest selves in their natural environment.
And every time you hear that name—Ciù Ciù—remember grandfather Bartolomei and his trains. In a way, the family is still in the transportation business, carrying the essence of the Marche region from their hillside vineyards to wine lovers around the world, one carefully crafted bottle at a time.
The next time you pour a glass of Ciù Ciù, listen carefully. You might just hear the distant whistle of a train, carrying dreams across the Italian countryside.
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