A Research Project to Discover Umbria’s Roots

The research focuses on discovering and enhancing the origins and expressions of Umbria’s wine heritage, recognizing the past as a source of inspiration for today’s agricultural and cultural practices

When does the word “wine” first appear in written form in Italy? In which Italic civilization did the nectar of the gods first begin its historical journey? It is not unlikely that it all started in the central Italian territory now known as Umbria, even before the Etruscans arrived on the peninsula. Echoes of the past projected into the present: these are the questions that sparked the creation of the first working group of scholars and experts on the topic “Radici: The Echo of Origins.”

The research project, promoted by Umbria Top Wines – the cooperative that brings together Umbrian wineries and wine Consortia, and the proposer of the Umbrian Quality Wine Supply Chain District – aims to retrace and rediscover the roots of Umbrian wine production through a multidisciplinary approach. Botanical, agronomic, and environmental peculiarities of the territory, cultural insights, historical accounts, and evidence of agricultural and rural archaeology are used to uncover the strengths of Umbria’s small but precious wine production, thanks to the valuable contributions of professors and scholars from the University for Foreigners of Perugia, the University of Perugia, the 3A Technological Agrifood Park of Umbria, the Wine Museum of Torgiano, and AIS Umbria.

“Not just a publication, but a declaration of belonging and an act of collective memory. The ‘Radici’ project was born from the desire to narrate the strengths of the regional wine sector starting from its origins. After all, it is largely beneath our soil that valuable secrets still lie hidden. Wine in Umbria has been made since time immemorial: it is now time to start writing a story that is both new and ancient, a first collection of clues for a reverse treasure hunt—from the glass to the root—that we hope will be a participatory and evolving journey. The work we have begun has already shown great research potential in areas such as wine tourism and territorial marketing, for which we plan to launch soon a working group to identify new tools for promoting the sector and the region.” explains Gioia Bacoccoli, coordinator of Umbria Top Wines.

The research, which includes a publishing project, stands as a virtuous example of networking between institutions, research organizations, and local entities, reaffirming Umbria Top Wines’ commitment to promoting and enhancing the region’s enological excellence, with a strong focus on sustainability and tradition preservation. The work, enriched with a valuable iconographic section and original scientific contributions, aims to serve as a starting point for scholars, enthusiasts, and industry professionals, offering useful ideas to promote the image of the Umbrian wine sector.

“This research is a first step, starting from a historical, linguistic, and archaeological exploration of the origins of vine cultivation and wine production, and continuing with an analysis of changes in agricultural landscapes and architecture. Wine is thus presented not just as a beverage, but as a cultural heritage, a condensed symbol of history and culture, an intangible heritage of humanity. This vision elevates wine to a symbol of identity, a fundamental component of this unique and inimitable land—not only for its historical origins but also for its cycles, festivals, rituals, and living memories.” says Luigi Mundula, coordinator and president of the MICO program at the University for Foreigners of Perugia.

The research includes contributions from professors at the University for Foreigners of Perugia (Giovanni Capecchi, Valentina Gasbarra, Roberto Montagnoli, and Alessio Patalocco) and the University of Perugia (Manuel Vaquero Piñeiro, Alberto Palliotti, and Paolo Braconi), as well as expert researchers such as Stefano Cimicchi and Luisa Spagnoli, and institutions including the 3A Technological Agrifood Park of Umbria, the Torgiano Wine Museum (MUVIT), and the Italian Sommelier Association.

The initiatives of Umbria Top are part of the promotional efforts for certified Umbrian products, supported by the Umbria Top Wines Cooperative within the CSR Umbria 2023–2027 framework, under measure SRG10 “Promotion of Quality Products.”