Marzeno stretches along the valley of the homonymous river, particularly along its final part.
The territory is gentle and undulating, occasionally marked by the presence of badlands. The vineyards are mainly cultivated on the two hilly ridges that run alongside the river, characterized by prevalently clay-limestone soils, at an altitude between 100 and 200 m asl. The resulting Sangiovese are warm, tannic and austere, capable of becoming complex and dynamic over time. The only exception are the foothills of Sarna, relatively flat and presenting evolved and fertile clays: the reds produced focus more on volume and the fruity richness that should be captured when young.
A small and uniform sub-zone that stretches along the course of the Marzeno River, between Faenza and Modigliana
100-200 m asl
Predominantly dark and gray limestone clays that tend to become red on the north-eastern side
The Rocca of Ceparano
In Ceparano, situated just outside the town of Marzeno, there can be found the remains of a Medieval fortress built in 1378 by Astorre I Manfredi, lord of Faenza. The Rocca, located on the southern borders of the territory controlled by the Signoria, has been in ruins for over four centuries, after the Holy See had the roof demolished in 1577 to prevent the bandits that infested the area from using it. The massive stone wall, its chunky shape and “pollard” look make the fortress almost similar to a Sardinian nuraghe. On the outside, traces of the perimeter walls, cisterns and the basement can be found. Inside there is another cistern, an oven and a “cased” well within what remains of the original sandstone spiral staircase.
The area of Bertinoro, also known as “the Balcony of Romagna”, rises on calcareous, organogenic and gentle hills, between 100 and 250 m asl.
100-350 m asl
With the exception of Casola Valsenio and the small town of Zattaglia, where vineyards rise up to 450 meters, the heart of production of Brisighella can be divided into three distinct sections.
180-500 m asl
Castrocaro boasts 3 historically suitable areas that remarkably differ from one another.
80-300 m asl
Viticulture in Cesena is carried out in two distinct areas.
60-250 m asl
Sangiovese has been intensely cultivated in the area of Rimini up until 1860 but was then abandoned because not deemed to have enough alcohol content.
An extensive sub-zone stretching along the Via Aemilia, between the cities of Imola and Bologna.
60-400 m asl
The Rubicone Valley boasts hills that resemble terraces overlooking the sea. The winegrowing area is divided into three different sections and are located between 100 and 300 meters asl.
60-300 m asl
Encircled by Bertinoro and Predappio, on the right of the Bidente River, Meldola has the least vineyard area among the 16 sub-zones of the denomination despite being a vast territory.
100-150 m asl
The largest sub-area of the denomination and one of the least cultivated with vines.
160-400 m asl
A renowned sub-zone endowed with a valuable terroir, a place where viticulture is exclusively practiced on the hills, reaching up to 500 meters of altitude, on sedimentary soils predominantly made up of sandstone.
300-600 m asl
Stretching halfway between Faenza and Forlì, the area is home to high-quality viticulture at the foothills, around 70 meters asl, as well as on the hills.
60-200 m asl
Predappio hints to a mineral and long-lived Sangiovese distinguished by vigorous tannins and not by young fruit.
120-400 m asl
San Clemente aims to characterize the hottest area of Rimini, with its gypsum and more colorful clays, presenting well-composed wines endowed with great acidity.
The sub-zone of Serra can be divided into four sections. The first, starting from the north, has fertile, deep and clayey-ferrous soils that give rise to fruity and lively reds.
Verucchio stretches along the valley of the Marecchia River, from the Via Aemilia to the Apennines.
50-450 m asl