Compagnia di Ermes

In Italian, the word ‘compagnia’ doesn’t simply mean ‘company’, but rather ‘a company of friends’. Which is exactly what three best friends, Mariano Mampieri, Marina Ugolini, and Silvestro Ciolli all decided to create in 2003. This trio of native-born Romans all had a single vision: to found the greatest vineyard in Lazio (the region of Rome), and to make the world’s best Cesanese. Even in such a short period of time, one can hardly deny that they have achieved both goals already. Obviously, since virtually no one outside the region has ever heard of its wines, Lazio has never been known as a great producer of quality – this estate, however, is destined to change everything. All the other winemakers in the zone are watching Ermes to see what they do next, since no one there has ever experienced complexity and balance like their’s before! The principle grape of Lazio is called Cesanese (chay-zah-NAY-zay). Normally, it is over-harvested, and tastes like a poor man’s Aglianico. But when it’s made by exceptional winemakers, look out! The name Cesanese comes from the fact that historicaly, Roman vines were planted on steppes called “cese”. The estate itself takes its name from Ermes (Hermes, the Greek god); after purchasing their small piece of land, our three friends found a bust of Ermes in the vineyards dating back to the Roman period, and named their venture accordingly.