The largest sub-area of the denomination and one of the least cultivated with vines.
Except for some vineyards in the northern area, winegrowing is concentrated around Mercato Saraceno, especially along the hilly ridge on the left of the Savio River. Some elements make this sub-zone truly “unique”: the combination of sand, gravel and clay that make up the soil; the climatic conditions (light, warmth, ventilation and rainfall) influenced by the nearby Apennines. The vineyards are mainly cultivated along the banks of the Savio River, yielding Sangiovese wines characterized by lesser fruity sweetness, remarkably incisive tannins and distinct acidity.
The territory extends along the Savio valley, particularly around the towns of Mercato Saraceno and Montesasso
160-400 m asl
Prevalently dark limestone soils of alluvial origin, gravel is present in the riverbed of the Savio while marl and sandstone appear in the higher areas
Castle of Casalecchio
The Castle of Casalecchio, also known as castrum Casalecli, located in Sarsina, is the only fortress in the Savio Valley. Labelled as «the palace of the hundred windows», it encloses a wide courtyard with a well and a chapel dedicated to St. Nicholas. Built during the Middle Ages, in 1420 it was handed over to the Bernardini counts of Rimini who transformed it into an elegant noble residence. When the last descendant of the noble family died in the 19th century, the castle was converted into a farmhouse, endowed with a spacious kitchen, equipped with an oven and a fireplace, vast cellars and spacious shelter for animals.
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
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
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