In 2019 a band of four friends - Rocco, Fabio, Luca & Gianmarco - founded I CA RO (an acronym standing for i Castelli Romani). The collective group are childhood friends, born and raised in central Rome. After working in the blossoming enoteca scene and with several small natural winemakers around Italy, they decided it was time they went to work creating a new vision of Roman wine, from the volcanic soils of the Castelli Romani just south of the city.

The wines they have set out to create embody the new, modern vision of what Roman wine culture and local terroir has to offer. They intend to change the game and shake things up, working with native grapes of course but also using a variety of vinification methods that are a combination of old-farmer wisdom and modern know-how.

The cantina is located in the village of Velletri, just south of Rome (a town you should know as it is home to our other rising star in the region, Colleformica). The tiny vineyard parcels (just 3 hectares at this point) overlook the Lago di Nemi, one of the several volcanic crater lakes that form the impressive terroir that is the Castelli Romani. The land is owned by two young friends of the winemaking gang, Paola and Luca, and they work together using biodynamic and organic practices.

In the cellar the wines come alive! Natural fermentation, scant usage of sulfur and a variety of vinification methods are employed: whole cluster, co-fermentation, clay anfora aging, etc. The resulting wines are vibrant, fresh and alive all while being exceptionally clean and balanced...wines we all want to drink with friends!