Few names are as tied to Cirò as Caparra & Siciliani, a Calabrian estate that has spent six decades championing the indigenous Gaglioppo grape from the sun-baked hills above the Ionian Sea.
Backstory
The Caparra and Siciliani families both trace their agrarian roots in Calabria to the 19th century. In 1963 the two families joined forces, founding the winery with the goal of promoting the native grapes of Cirò. The estate sits in the historic municipalities of Cirò and Cirò Marina, in the heart of one of southern Italy's oldest winegrowing zones.
The Region
Cirò lies along Calabria's Ionian coast, a warm, breezy stretch sometimes called the Costa dei Saraceni. The appellation is celebrated for Gaglioppo, a tannic, perfumed red variety that has been grown here since antiquity. Cirò is among Calabria's most important and recognizable wine names.
Vineyards & Farming
The winery draws on roughly 213 hectares of vineyards in the Cirò and Cirò Classico areas. Production focuses on the classic grapes of the region, above all Gaglioppo for the reds and rosatos, with white wines built on local varieties.
Winemaking
Caparra & Siciliani pairs traditional methods with a modern cellar. The estate practices long skin-contact maceration in the old Cirò style while using temperature-controlled tanks for precision. The facility holds a substantial capacity across multiple floors of vats, alongside a stock of oak barrels for aging the more structured wines. The cellar work is overseen by respected Italian oenologist Fabrizio Ciufoli, who guides the estate's house style. The aim throughout is wines that speak clearly of their Cirò terroir.
The Wines
The range centers on Cirò and Cirò Classico Superiore, classic expressions of Gaglioppo that show the grape's bright red fruit, herbal lift and firm structure. These are benchmark bottlings for anyone wanting to understand the traditional face of Calabrian wine.
