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.
The first extends from Montiano to Monteleone and presents soils that are less clayey and more sandy, yielding remarkably fine and mineral Sangiovese. The second area starts from Longiano to Roncofreddo and is characterized by clayey soils that produce more fruity wines with rougher tannins and notable warmth. The last section, which covers Savignano sul Rubicone up to Borghi, initially presents alluvial soils that result in simple and drinkable Sangiovese. The following hilly belt is rich in badland clays, yielding more robust and less nuanced wines that are distinguished by ripe, dark fruit, as well as a voluminous and rough mouthfeel.
Stretching east of the Rubicone River, the most important towns are Longiano, Roncofreddo, Montiano, Monteleone and Ribano
60-300 m asl
Ocher limestone clays presenting sands and sandstones that increase with altitude.
The Rocca of Longiano
Cited as early as the 11th century, the Rocca, which includes the town, endured so many wars and devastation to have earned the title of “Borgo Incendiato” (lit. Burning town). In 1295, Giovanni Malatesta, then lord of Rimini, erected new bastions, which are part of the current terrace; also from the end of the 12th century are the keep and the spiral staircase, which were incorporated during the expansion carried out in the Renaissance, as well as the tower, which is also called “bell tower” due to the bells located on top. The building served as the town hall during the 19th century. During this period, the central structure was elevated, and the Council Chamber underwent renovation. Today, the fortress is home to the Fondazione Tito Balestra, which houses an important collection of artworks donated by the poet’s family.
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
Marzeno stretches along the valley of the homonymous river, particularly along its final part.
100-200 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