Lunaria Orsogna, brand name created by the Olearia Vinicola Orsogna co-operative in the Abruzzo region on the Adriatic coast of Italy. The brand is specifically dedicated to its wines made from Demeter-certified organic grapes. Lunaria might very loosely translate a ‘moon air’.

Biodynamic certification: 2007 First vintage with Demeter Biodynamic certification. | 2012 At Millésime Bio in January 2012 they had 600 members with 1,200 hectares (2,965 acres) of vines of which 110 hectares (272 acres) was Demeter certified Biodynamic and 75% of the rest was certified organic. | 2017 1,100 hectares (2,718 acres) of certified (organic and Biodynamic) vines (Source: Millesime Bio 2017). In December 2017 Giovanni Legitimo of Demeter Italia told me 6 wine grape growers at the Orsogna co-op were Demeter-certified Biodynamic. | 2018 In October 2018 Giovanni Legitimo of Demeter Italia told me Cantina Orsogna had 207.07 hectares (511 acres) of Demeter-certified Biodynamic vineyards, making it the biggest Biodynamic vineyard in Italy.

Sparkling Wines

Civitas Pecorino Spumante Brut: White sparkling wine. 100% Pecorino. Pergola abruzzese. Demeter-certified Biodynamic grapes.

La Belle Spumante Extra Dry: White sparkling wine. 100% Malvasia Aromatica. Pergola abruzzese. Calcareous soils. Demeter-certified Biodynamic grapes. Charmat method. White sparkling wine.

Terre di Chieti IGP, La Pirale Spumante, Moscato: White sparkling wine. Demeter-certified Biodynamic Moscato Bianco grapes. 100% stainless steel.

Ramoro Pinot Grigio Spumante: Pink sparkling wine. 100% Pinot gris. Demeter-certified Biodynamic grapes. Pergola abruzzese. Limestone soils.

White Wines

Bucefalo Bianco: 85% Malvasia Aromatica, 15% other white grapes. Appassimento style. Fermented and aged 100% in stainless steel, Bottled after three months.

Terre di Chieti IGT Trebbiano Abruzzo, Charisma: Trebbiano d’Abruzzese. Guyot. | 2014 Demeter-certified Biodynamic grapes.

Terre di Chieti IGT Bianco, Civitas: Unoaked. 2010 Demeter Biodynamic. Pecorino (85% min). Guyot. 5,000 bottles. Nice broad peach skin flavours, rich, very good at Millésime Bio Jan 2012. | 2018 13.1% alc. WBP. Cool fermented in steel for 30 days. 

Terre di Chieti Bianco IGP Malvasia, La Belle: 85-100% Malvasia Aromatica, 15% other authorised varieties. Part VSP (guyot), part pergola. 450 metres (984-1,476 feet). Demeter-certified Biodynamic grapes. | 2018 100% Malvasia Aromatica. 13.5% alc. Brief cold maceration. Soft pressing. Cool ferment for 30 days at 12-14 centigrade on lees.

Terre di Chieti Bianco IGP Moscato, La Pirale: 100% Moscato (not sure exactly which member of the Moscato family this is actually from). Demeter-certified Biodynamic grapes. 450 metres (1,476 feet). Calcareous soils. 100% Stainless steel.

Terre di Chieti IGP Bianco Pinot Grigio, Ramoro: 2017 85% Pinot Grigio, 15% other authorised grapes. Demeter-certified Biodynamic grapes. 450-500 metres (1,476-1,640 feet). 30 days on skins. 8,800 cases. Plumptious fruit and texture at the Demeter USA International Biodynamic Wine Conference 2018.

Rosè Wines

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOP, Pettirosce: 100% Montepulciano. Demeter-certified Biodynamic grapes. Pergola abruzzese and guyot. 450 metres (1,476 feet). Calcareous, stony soils.

Red wines

Bucefalo Rosso: 100% Montepulciano. Pergola abruzzese and guyot. 300-450 metres (984-1,476 feet). Appassimento style. Demeter-certified Biodynamic grapes.

Coste di Moro, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC: 100% Montepulciano. Pergola abruzzese and guyot. 300-450 metres (984-1,476 feet). | 2009 Demeter-certified Biodynamic grapes. Nice and wild, soft and chewy, very good for a co-op ( Millésime Bio Jan 2012). | 2013 1,100 cases. Demeter-certified Biodynamic grapes. Good chunky fruit (IBWC 2018). 2015 Mix of steel and oak. 14%.

Terre di Chieti IGP Rosso, Ruminat: 2017 100% Primitivo. Demeter-certified Biodynamic grapes. Bush vines. 100-150 metres (328-492 feet). Stainless steel. Unoaked. Nice weight, wild, slightly Bretty (IBWC 2018).

Contact

Olearia Vinicola Orsogna

Via Ortonese, 29

66036 Orsogna Chieti (CH), Italy

Tel+39 0871.86241 | Website: www.lunariabio.it

Bibliography

International Biodynamic Wine Conference, 07 May 2018, San Francisco, Demeter USA.