Piccione's Varietals: More About What We Grow
Learn more about Piccione Vineyard's current population of varietals. Expand each category to read more.
By Mallory Wall
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely-planted wine grape in the world, and Piccione is home to 3 acres of this sensation. Originating in the Bordeaux region, these deep-purple grapes allow for 2 tons of crop per acre. At Piccione Vineyards, our Cabernet Sauvignon is part of our original vine plantings. Currently, these vines are maturing finely. This bold red creates hints of decadent dark chocolate, juicy red plum, and refined black tea.
Chardonnay
The 3.2 acres of Chardonnay vines at Piccione Vineyards originate from the Dijon clone 96. Identical to their parent vine from Burgundy, these vines are better bred for the temperate weather of the NC mountains. North Carolina tends to produce Chardonnay vintages with more pronounced notes of stone fruits – peach, plum, and raspberry, to name a few. Depending on which Chardonnay you enjoy (stainless steel fermented or oak barrel fermented) will change its perceived tasting notes. Our Barrel Chardonnay mimics buttery brioche, citrusy yuzu, and decadent baked apples. Our Stainless Steel Chardonnay tends to mimic tart lime zest, juicy passion fruit, and lightly baked apples.
Merlot
Piccione’s 1 acre of Merlot originates from Bordeaux, France. Its thinner skins give Merlot grapes its famous deep-blue appearance on-vine. Perfect for bottling or blending, Merlot rivals Cabernet Sauvignon for its versatility and international recognition. Its ideal growing conditions of clay soil and vivid sunlight make North Carolina an optimal region for Merlot to thrive. This bold varietal is the most planted varietal in the Bordeaux region and the second most planted red varietal in the United States. Merlot tends to give notes of deep black cherry and bold cocoa dust.
Montepulciano
Swan Creek provides a similar climate and terrain to our 4.8 acres of Montepulciano’s origins in Abruzzo, Italy. Famous for its late ripening, Montepulciano thrives in the hot, sunny regions of Central and Southern Italy. It typically produces a wine with deep color, firm tannins and low acidity. These medium-sized bunches and berries pack a juicy punch in their pulp. Montepulciano tends to mimic notes of deep blackberries and spiced pepper.
Nero
Piccione’s 2.2 acres of Nero Amaro, like Vermentino, is a relatively unknown varietal outside of its origins in Italy. From the regions of Puglia and Salento – the “Heel” of the Italian Peninsula – Nero Amaro grapes have black-violet skins and produce beautiful, deep-ruby wine. Originally grown for blending – with its deep color and firm tannins – Nero Amaro has more recently gained acceptance as a stand-alone varietal. These deep berries produce notes of robust pepper, rich spice, and fruity bramble.
Petit Verdot
Originating in Bordeaux, this late-ripening red originally fell out of favor with its home region due to its alternate harvest time. Piccione’s 4 acres of Petit Verdot takes first place for our heaviest red. These thick-skinned grapes are unique in their ability to give off 3, sometimes 4, clusters per shoot as opposed to the average 2 clusters. This inky-colored, bold red lends notes of vibrant raspberry, bold cocoa dust, rich vanilla bean, and dense oak.
Pinot Grigio
Piccione’s 1.6 acres of Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris in French) is a staple of its Northeastern home of Veneto, Italy. It is typically harvested weeks before its fellow white grapes to maintain its signature acidic nature. Pinot Grigio then ferments in stainless-steel tanks rather than oak barrels to establish its famously crisp and light taste. These small-clustered grapes tend to be light pink to light gray in hue, creating a pale yellow wine. Pinot Grigio tends to contain notes of ripe kiwi, tart green apple, and slightly nutty marzipan.
Sagrantino
Sagrantino grapes originate in Umbria, Italy (East of Tuscany), yet 2 acres now call Piccione Vineyards home. These small grapes in elongated clusters produce a high acid and sugar compared to other reds. This variety thrives in sandy soils and averses large rains, creating a fun challenge for growing in NC. These deep violet grapes create notes of subtle spice, rich cranberry, and prominent tannins.
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is highly influenced by its geography and climate. The region in which it grows will produce either a fruity and aromatic “Fruit-Forward” vintage or one that is high-tannin and rustic. It is hard to find Sangiovese outside of Italy, however, 2.8 acres thrive in Swan Creek. Sangiovese is the lightest red Piccione produces, making for a great year-round wine. These small, thin-skinned grapes create notes of light cherry and rich spice.
Vermentino
Relatively unknown to the United States, Piccione’s 3.9 acres of Vermentino is famously produced in the Italian region Sardegna. These golden, thick-skinned grapes form large clusters with large fruit, which produces plenty of pulp. This abundance of pulp provides a perfect canvas for appassimento: a process where the grapes are dried before pressing to create a concentrated flavor. Vermentino creates notes of clear minerality, fragrant pear, and tangy citrus peel.
*Note: "Varietal" refers to the type of grape, not the wine itself. All of our blends include one or more of these varietals!
