Celebrating a Sparkling Decade: Kius Palazzo Riozzi by the Carpineti Family

Posted by Rowena Dumlao Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 12/02/2024

Celebrating a Sparkling Decade: Kius Palazzo Riozzi by the Carpineti Family

The Carpineti Winery in Cori marks a remarkable milestone in its sparkling wine journey, celebrating 10 years of Kius, its signature organic Classic Method wine. The story began in 2007 when father and son Marco and Paolo Carpineti, inspired by the potential of the Bellone grape, already used for Charmat-method wines, embarked on a new adventure. Their goal: to create a Classic Method sparkling wine that would elevate Bellone to new heights. In the winter of 2014, their vision materialized with the first bottle of Kius brut, setting a new benchmark for sparkling wine in the region. To commemorate this 10-year milestone, Carpineti unveils Kius Palazzo Riozzi, a Classic Method sparkling wine aged on its lees for 10 years, encapsulating the evolution of their craft.

"After the initial results, we realized that Bellone had exceptional potential when treated with care and dedication," explains Paolo Carpineti. Kius embodies a bold vision: rediscovering ancient grape varieties through a modern lens, reinterpreting tradition with originality and creativity. "After early experiments with the Charmat Method, we made a decisive choice to focus exclusively on the Classic Method. Kius was born from our passion for this grape and our belief in its possibilities," he adds.

Paolo, Marco and Isabella Carpineti

To honor this anniversary, the Carpineti family has revitalized Palazzo Riozzi, a historic residence in the heart of Cori, as the home for their sparkling wines. Beneath the restored palazzo, Kius wines age in deep tuff caves, preserving their quality in an environment rich with history. "Restoring Palazzo Riozzi allowed us to bring new life to an iconic building, promote Cori’s historic center, and use wine to spotlight the beauty of this unique village," says Carpineti, deeply tied to his hometown.

The limited-edition Kius Palazzo Riozzi, aged for 10 years, highlights the Bellone grape’s ability to deliver freshness, longevity, and a surprising complexity that evolves over time. "These first 10 years are just the beginning," Carpineti reflects. "Our goal is to continue experimenting and embracing challenges, proving that fermentation, time, and terroir can produce extraordinary results even in regions not traditionally associated with sparkling wine."

In addition to celebrating wine, Palazzo Riozzi is now home to Hereditas, an artistic initiative designed to enrich the space through beauty and creativity. The project includes a calendar of art exhibitions, starting with works by artists Massimo Catalani and Lorenzo Capolupi, curated in collaboration with the Il Sole Art Gallery in Rome. With the launch of Kius Palazzo Riozzi and the debut of Hereditas, Carpineti reaffirms its dedication to blending tradition, innovation, and cultural heritage.

Hereditas: Bringing Art and Culture to Palazzo Riozzi

Palazzo Riozzi is set to become the heart of Hereditas, an artistic initiative by the Carpineti family that reimagines the historic residence as more than a sanctuary for wine. Hereditas aims to transform the ancient Palazzo in Cori into a vibrant hub of beauty, art, and creativity, breathing new life into the local cultural landscape. With a thoughtfully curated schedule of exhibitions, the project will open its doors to the public alongside the launch of the family’s new wine label, blending the rich heritage of Cori with innovative expressions of art and craftsmanship.

Artists Massimo Catalani and Lorenzo Capolupi bring their unique visions to Palazzo Riozzi, adding depth to the Carpineti family’s Hereditas initiative. Catalani’s luminous piece, "Breathable Atmosphere", a moon crafted with Carrara marble, natural pigments, and luminescent salts, creates a mesmerizing effect in the underground caves where Carpineti’s sparkling wines age. Reflecting his commitment to sustainability, the artwork aligns with biodynamic viticulture, symbolizing the harmony between nature and creativity. Meanwhile, Capolupi’s evocative photographs, displayed in the former notary wing, capture the beauty of abandoned spaces, transforming forgotten places into art steeped in history and emotion. Together, their works underscore the Palazzo’s role as a vibrant cultural hub, blending wine, art, and heritage in an inspiring intersection of tradition and innovation.

Kius Palazzo Riozzi: Carpineti's Anniversary Tribute

The new Kius Palazzo Riozzi label, with its open window design, symbolizes limitless horizons—a reflection of the Carpineti winery’s evolution and its harmonious blend of innovation and deep-rooted tradition. Crafted as a Classic Method sparkling wine, Kius celebrates the untapped potential of Bellone grapes, merging the elegance of Cori’s rich history with a forward-looking vision. Set against the historic backdrop of Palazzo Riozzi, this wine invites exploration not only of its refined flavors but also of the enduring winemaking heritage of the region.

Made entirely from 100% Bellone grapes, Kius Palazzo Riozzi is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and the untapped potential of this ancient variety. The vines, planted at a density of 4,500 per hectare and trained using the espalier system, are harvested in late August to ensure optimal ripeness. After gentle pressing and controlled fermentation, the wine is aged on its lees for at least 10 years, resulting in a sparkling wine of remarkable complexity and refinement.

Kius Palazzo Riozzi shines with a brilliant golden yellow hue, offering a complex and refined bouquet. Vibrant aromas of toasted dried fruit blend with delicate spices and a subtle hint of freshly baked bread, creating a harmonious profile. On the palate, the wine is both expressive and elegant, revealing layers of depth. Its silky texture unfolds gradually, leaving a lingering and enveloping finish. The balanced structure and long-lasting persistence underscore the wine’s exceptional complexity and refined harmony.

Kius Brut Millesimato

Kius Brut Millesimato is a classic method sparkling wine crafted entirely from Bellone grapes, showcasing how passion, determination, and a touch of daring can yield extraordinary results. This journey began with an ambition to reinterpret the ancient Bellone variety in a unique and original way. Aged on its lees for an average of 24 months, the wine undergoes a meticulous process of soft pressing and controlled fermentation, allowing the yeasts to sculpt and define its distinctive character. Pale yellow with golden reflections, Kius delights with a fruity bouquet accented by hints of yeast. On the palate, it is fresh and savory, with excellent persistence, a testament to the potential and allure of the Bellone grape.

Kius Pas Dosé Millesimato

Kius Pas Dosé Millesimato is a distinguished classic method sparkling wine crafted exclusively from carefully selected Nero Buono grapes, offering a unique contrast to the Bellone-based Kius Brut. The distinctive microclimate and biodiversity of the vineyard, paired with 60 months of aging on the lees, result in a wine that masterfully balances tradition with modern innovation. Its pale yellow hue with golden reflections hints at the elegance within, while the complex and harmonious bouquet is enhanced by a fine, refined perlage. The production process, involving soft pressing of whole grapes and controlled-temperature fermentation, ensures a sparkling wine of remarkable depth, balance, and sophistication.

San Pietro Estate: The Home of Kius Sparkling Wines

San Pietro Estate, the first park exclusively dedicated to Classic Method sparkling wines, is where the ancient Nero Buono and Bellone grape varieties are cultivated for Kius Brut, Kius Pas Dosé, and Kius Palazzo Riozzi. Located between the natural reserves of Torrecchia Vecchia and Ninfa Garden, the estate enjoys a unique microclimate with mild temperatures, abundant water, and fertile soil enriched by organic and biodynamic farming. These ideal conditions ensure the exceptional quality of the grapes and the distinctive character of Kius wines.

Located near Cori and the Lepini Mountains, the estate blends history and myth, with ties to the ancient Roman retreat of Tres Tabernae. Visitors can explore its scenic vineyards, experience the winemaking process, and attend curated events, all while savoring the elegance and complexity of Kius Classic Method sparkling wines in a setting that perfectly complements their heritage.

A Lunch Dedicated to Kius

Hosted by the Carpineti family, the lunch at Palazzo Riozzi offered an unforgettable culinary and oenological experience. The day began with an aperitif on the terrace overlooking the serene valley, featuring Kius Brut Millesimato 2021, paired with homemade bread and Carpineti’s exceptional extra virgin olive oil, MOMO, produced from century-old Itrana cultivar olive trees. Moving to the elegant dining room warmed by a crackling fireplace, the meal started with a hearty borage soup, followed by pasta with wild boar and rosemary, and a tender, flavorful stew. Dessert was a slice of ricotta and cocoa cake, beautifully paired with the Ludum Bellone Passito.

The Kius wines elevated the experience with their distinct profiles. Kius Brut Millesimato 2021 stood out with its straw yellow color and golden highlights, offering aromas of bread crust, tropical fruits like pineapple and mango, and toasted hazelnut, with a fresh, savory palate and a long citrusy finish. Kius Brut Millesimato 2020 and Kius Brut Millesimato 2019 shared similar golden hues, delivering fruity, yeast-driven aromas and a fresh, savory taste with excellent persistence.

The Kius Brut Millesimato 2017 Magnum added depth with smoky notes, crushed stones, and dried yellow fruit, offering a refined palate marked by sweet bitterness and elegant concentration. Kius Palazzo Riozzi 2012 shines with golden hues, a complex bouquet of toasted dried fruit and spices, and an elegant, lingering, harmonious finish.The Ludum Bellone Passito, made from carefully dried Bellone grapes, completed the meal with its deep golden hue, rich aromas of yellow stone fruits and candied fruit, and a sweet yet structured palate, featuring toasted hazelnuts and bitter orange, accompanied with excellent acidity, a perfect conclusion to an extraordinary feast.