Chiara Condello: Redefining Sangiovese in Predappio

September 30, 2025

In the rolling hills of Predappio, in Romagna, one of Italy’s most dynamic young winemakers is reshaping how we think about Sangiovese. Chiara Condello has quickly become one of the most celebrated voices of her generation, earning accolades such as Best Winemaker Under 35 from Food & Wine Italia in 2022, along with Tre Bicchieri and Slow Wine honors. Her rise has been swift, but her philosophy is deeply grounded in the history and singularity of her land.

Rooted in Romagna’s Identity

While Emilia and Romagna are formally bound together today, their cultural identities, languages, and histories remain distinct. Chiara is rooted in Romagna, in the foothills of the Apennines where Sangiovese has thrived for centuries—some experts even argue it was born here, not in Tuscany. Predappio itself is one of twelve subzones granted official recognition in 2011, allowing wines from the area to carry its name on the label.

From her seven hectares of land—4.8 planted to Sangiovese, with the balance kept as woodland and olive groves—Chiara pursues her own path, separate from her family’s Condé estate. Since her debut vintage in 2015, she has balanced youthful energy with a clear and uncompromising vision: to produce Sangiovese that is both a pure expression of Predappio and a reflection of her own voice as a winemaker.

The Spungone Soils of Predappio

Chiara’s vineyards ripple across calcareous-clay slopes rich in Spungone, a porous sandstone dating back three million years to the Pliocene epoch, when this land lay under the sea. Embedded in the rock are intact shells and marine fossils, reminders of an ancient seabed that today lends remarkable minerality and character to her wines. This distinctive terroir is what sets Predappio apart within Romagna and allows Chiara to craft Sangiovese of both elegance and power.

Organic from the Start

From the beginning, Chiara has farmed organically, using cover crops, careful manual vineyard work, and natural fertilization such as horse manure. Her focus is on maintaining biodiversity and healthy vines so that the grapes themselves require no correction once they arrive at the cellar.

In winemaking, she takes cues from tradition while pursuing a minimalist, respectful approach: fermentations with native yeasts, open-top vats, long macerations (sometimes with whole clusters), and élevage in large Slavonian oak. Nothing is rushed, nothing is forced. The goal is always clarity and authenticity, never standardization.

The Wines

Predappio
Chiara’s entry-level Sangiovese showcases the depth and personality of her Predappio vineyards. Bright yet grounded, this organic wine balances structure and freshness, making it approachable now while offering the potential to develop further in the bottle.

Le Lucciole Riserva
Chiara’s flagship Riserva is a small-production wine that captures the full potential of Predappio’s Sangiovese. Aged 24 months in large Slavonian oak barrels, it offers a nuanced combination of ripe red fruit, floral lift, and savory depth, all balanced by fine structure and energy. Each vintage of Le Lucciole is accompanied by a specially designed label created in collaboration with artist Francesca Ballarini, reflecting a unique story and the individuality of that year’s harvest. This wine is equally compelling now or after further aging, and pairs beautifully with herbed lamb, slow-braised pork, or a simple plate of Prosciutto di Parma.

Lo Stralisco
Made only in exceptional vintages, the highly-allocated Lo Stralisco represents the pinnacle of Chiara’s craft. The fruit is sourced from a special parcel within the Lucciole vineyard at 750 feet above sea level, where the vines sink into Spungone, the ancient fossil-rich sandstone that defines Predappio. The wine rests for two years in small cement tanks, preserving purity and finesse. The result is lifted and complex—aromas of red and purple flowers, cherries, wild herbs, and warm strawberries, with a savory mineral backbone and fine, persistent tannins. Its name, Lo Stralisco, comes from a beloved Italian children’s novel, where the word describes a magical plant—an apt metaphor for this rare, luminous wine.

A Visionary Voice for Sangiovese

Chiara Condello’s wines shine with energy, authenticity, and soul. They capture not only the richness of Romagna’s heritage but also the forward-looking perspective of a new generation. At Dialect Imports, we are honored to represent Chiara’s work—wines that are at once timeless and revolutionary, grounded in tradition yet full of modern vitality.

Looking to add a taste of Predappio to your wine list or shop? Contact us today to learn more about Chiara Condello’s portfolio and availability in your market.