Remembering Arnaldo Caprai: The Visionary Vintner Who Transformed Montefalco Sagrantino

Arnaldo Caprai, a renowned figure in the wine industry, passed away on January 4 at the age of 92. He was celebrated for his significant contributions to revitalizing the nearly extinct Sagrantino grape, a historic variety native to Umbria, Italy.

Caprai began his journey in wine after a successful career in textiles, purchasing a 108-acre estate in 1971 that included 10 acres of vineyards. He recognized the potential of the dark, tannic Sagrantino, which had suffered a decline after World War II, and began working to bring it back into the spotlight. The efforts of Caprai and other wineries led to the reestablishment of Sagrantino as a recognized wine, with over 90% of the world’s plantings now found in Umbria.

In the early days, Sagrantino was largely made into a sweet dessert wine, but Caprai, along with a few others, believed it could also be crafted into robust dry reds. His philosophy placed importance on the character of the Montelfaco wines, emphasizing collaboration among local vintners. Giampaolo Tabarrini, a fellow winemaker, fondly recalled a moment when Caprai advised on teamwork and regional pride, illustrating Caprai’s influence and camaraderie in the wine community.

In 1986, Caprai’s son Marco joined him at the winery and later took over operations. Under Marco’s leadership, the winery expanded its vineyard area to nearly 400 acres, focusing on advancing Sagrantino production. He worked closely with the University of Milan to refine vine clones and improve vineyard techniques.

In 2015, renowned French enologist Michel Rolland joined the winery, helping to craft high-quality Sagrantino wines. Today, Arnaldo Caprai Winery produces a lineup including seven distinct red wines under the Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG label. This commitment to quality has positioned the winery as a leader in the Sagrantino category.

Arnaldo Caprai is survived by his wife Fiorella and children Marco, Luca, and Arianna. His legacy in the wine world endures through the continued recognition and success of the Sagrantino grape.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!