Our journey through the Sangiovese subzones continues. Cesena is the smallest of them all, nestled on the first hills just outside the city – a capital not only of wine but also of Romagna’s fruit-growing tradition: cherries, peaches, and apricots truly feel at home here. The Cesena subzone stretches from the Via Emilia to the hills of Mercato Saraceno, bordered by Longiano to the east and Bertinoro to the west.
Famous for its cherries, this territory is also highly suited to Sangiovese, with excellent producers scattered along the hills from the Savio to the Rubicone, at elevations ranging from 60 to 250 meters above sea level, gradually rising as you head further south. Here, woods grow more frequent and alternate with cultivated fields, creating a diverse and beautiful landscape.
Viticulture in the Cesena subzone can be divided into two distinct areas.
The first, in the northern foothills, features clay-rich soils that yield Sangiovese wines that are fruit-forward, easy-drinking, and enjoyable, even in the hottest, driest vintages.
The second encompasses the historic winemaking triangle of Cesena – Saiano, Carpineta, and Sorrivoli – where elevations range from 100 to 250 meters, soils become more sandy and calcareous, and the wines offer a richer profile: a warm, cherry-like fruit, depth, and a rounded, savory softness.
In the northernmost part – around Ponte Abbadesse, Madonna dell’Ulivo, and up to San Tomaso – the soils are ochre-colored clays, low in limestone. South of there, in the area bounded by Saiano to the west, Carpineta to the east, and Sorrivoli to the south, the terrain becomes sandier, with more limestone and arenaceous elements.
This results in two distinct styles of Sangiovese:
– In the first area, wines tend to be fruit-forward, approachable, and balanced, perhaps simpler but very drinkable.
– In the second, they become more complex, warmer, and sapid, also thanks to the growing influence of the Adriatic Sea’s Mediterranean climate, which becomes increasingly evident as you move eastward.
A trip through the Cesena hills wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the town itself – home to the iconic Rocca Malatestiana, one of the most impressive fortresses in all of Emilia-Romagna. Built starting in the 14th century, the Rocca now houses a fascinating Museum of Rural Civilization.