Colle Picchioni

Founded in the 1970s by Paola Di Mauro ("Nonna Paola"), Colle Picchioni was born on a small plot of volcanic land in the Castelli Romani area, near Lake Albano. Paola decided to abandon the family business to devote herself entirely to wine, embracing life with boldness and intuition.

In the 1980s , amidst the male-dominated winemaking world, Paola introduced winemaking innovations such as clear glass bottling, allowing the luminosity of her wines to be appreciated even from the color. Success came with "Vassallo"—the company's signature wine—which was also awarded the Tre Bicchieri award by Gambero Rosso.

Over time, the vineyard grew from a few thousand to around 100,000 bottles a year , thanks also to the consultancy of Riccardo Cotarella.

After Paola's passing in 2015 , the company is now led by her grandson Valerio Di Mauro , a law graduate, winemaker, and passionate innovator. Together with his wife, Laila, he carries on the tradition with creative and sustainable energy.

In 2020 , Valerio embarked on an environmental and viticultural challenge: reviving the Giulia grape , a forgotten native variety, and transforming it into a sparkling rosé with a fresh and unexpected character. The first vintages, 2021 and 2022, were immediately praised for their freshness and drinkability, placing Colle Picchioni at the center of innovation in Lazio.

Strengths of the company

• Volcanic soils of the Castelli Romani, ideal for elegant and structured wines;
• Integrated supply chain: sustainability and integrated organic production without formal certification, but with direct commitment;
• Award-winning and recognized wines (Vignole, Vassallo), among the most representative of Lazio, also appreciated internationally;
• Unique wine tourism experiences: tastings, cooking classes, and vineyard dining, now organized by the nonprofit Radici&Taste association.

Grandma Paola laid the foundations for an authentic winemaking vision, rooted in the region, cuisine, culture, and relationships. With dedication, she created wines that express the identity of Lazio, complemented by a strong gastronomic roots that led her to write the book "My Recipes."

Today Valerio , raised among the rows and family recipes, has carried on that legacy with an open mind: he experiments with new grape varieties, relaunches varieties like the Giulia grape, and blends tradition with environmental sustainability and innovation.