Umberto Cesari Winery

What Umberto Cesari Winery does

Umberto Cesari Winery (operating as Cesari S.r.l.) is a privately held, family-owned Italian winery founded in 1964 by Umberto Cesari in Castel San Pietro Terme, in the hills of Emilia-Romagna. The company operates twelve distinct vineyard estates (poderi) — Ca' Grande, Casetta, Claterna, Laurento, Liano, Miravalle, Parolino, Tauleto, Il Laghetto, Montebello, La Pieve, and Uliveto — with two production facilities and barrel rooms (bottaie), producing a portfolio that spans single-vineyard Cru wines, blends (including Liano, Moma Rosso, Moma Bianco, Yemula, Tauleto), monovarietals anchored on Sangiovese and Albana, sparkling and frizzante wines (Moma Spumante, Colle Belvedere), the passito Colle del Re, rosé (Costa di Rose), and the experimental Malise organic line. Wines are sold globally in formats from 0.375L to 18L alongside curated wine-tourism experiences (Picnic in the Vineyard, Wine Tour Prestige) and a Wine Club membership program.

Winemaking combines traditional and proprietary techniques: optical berry selection, a Dynamic Pigiadrice Extractiva 2 centrifugal press, Galileo spherical cement tanks, cocciopesto amphorae vinification for controlled micro-oxygenation, French oak barrique and Allier tonneau aging, and a precision-agriculture program using vigor mapping, weather-station sensors, and zeolite soil treatment. The estate is approximately 30% organic, has reduced bottle weight by roughly 20%, and aims to deliver grapes from harvest to winery within one hour. Customer segments are Wine Enthusiasts and Collectors (DTC), Ho.Re.Ca. accounts (restaurants, wine bars), and Corporate/Event clients (hospitality), making the company horizontally segmented across consumer, B2B-trade, and experience channels rather than concentrated in a single vertical.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time wine sales across DTC e-commerce, on-site tasting room, and Ho.Re.Ca./retail distribution, supplemented by professional-service revenue from wine tourism and corporate events and by Wine Club memberships. Pricing varies by tier from accessible entry-level wines (Ca' Grande, Moma Spumante, Colle Belvedere) up to single-vineyard Crus and large-format bottles; specific prices are not publicly disclosed. The brand has international recognition through Gambero Rosso (Tre Bicchieri), James Suckling, Bibenda, Doctor Wine, Falstaff, Vini Buoni d'Italia, Jancis Robinson, Luca Maroni, Sakura, and Selections Mondiales des Vins awards between 2024 and 2026, and was referenced in John Grisham's novel The Broker. The company has no disclosed parent, external investors, or M&A activity and operates as Cesari S.r.l., an Italian limited liability company.

Name

Umberto Cesari Winery

Legal name

Cesari S.r.l.

Website

https://umbertocesari.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Umberto Cesari Winery (Cesari S.r.l.) is a family-owned Italian winery founded in 1964 in Castel San Pietro Terme, Emilia-Romagna, producing premium Sangiovese-based, single-vineyard, and sparkling wines across twelve poderi estates, selling globally via e-commerce, Ho.Re.Ca. distribution, and on-site wine tourism.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Italian Wines

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Grape Vineyards (111332), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320), Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (4248)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine Production & Winemaking (AFAFAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB), Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD), Alcohol Subscription & Wine Clubs (Retail) (CRANABAF), Organic Vineyard & Wine Grape Farming (AFAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Italian wine production
• Sangiovese wines
• Emilia-Romagna viticulture
• Wine tourism experiences
• Direct-to-consumer wines

Headquarters

HQ city

Castel San Pietro Terme

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Wine Sales: The primary revenue stream comes from selling wines directly to consumers through the company's e-commerce platform (shop.umbertocesari.com), tasting room, and wine experiences. Wines are sold in various formats from 0.375L to 18L bottles, with premium single-vineyard Crus commanding highest prices.
2. Wine Tourism Experiences: Revenue from wine tourism activities including Picnic in the Vineyard (2 hours duration), Wine Tour Prestige (3 hours), and business events hosted at the estate's hospitality venues.
3. Restaurant and Retail Distribution: Wines are distributed to restaurants, wine bars, and retail stores throughout Italy and internationally.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Umberto Cesari is an Italian winery that produces and sells wines from the Emilia-Romagna region, operating across 12 distinct farms (poderi) in Castel San Pietro Terme. The portfolio spans Cru single-vineyard wines, blends (such as Liano, Moma, Yemula, Tauleto), monovarietals (Albana, Sangiovese, Pignoletto, Merlese), sparkling and passito wines, complemented by wine tourism experiences and a Wine Club membership. Wines are sold directly to consumers via e-commerce and the on-site tasting room, and distributed to restaurants, wine bars and retailers.

Product overview

Umberto Cesari Winery is an Italian winery founded in 1964 producing wines from Emilia-Romagna. The product portfolio centers on Cru wines (single-vineyard wines from 12 distinct estates) and Blend wines (combining local and international grape varieties). Key sub-brands include Moma (art-themed wines) and Malise (indigenous varieties vinified in amphorae). The portfolio includes monovarietal wines such as Albana, Sangiovese-based wines (Ca' Grande, Sangiovese Riserva, Laurento, Resultum, Tauleto), Merlese (Umberto), and rosé (Costa di Rose). White and sparkling wines include Liano Bianco, Moma Bianco, Moma Spumante, and Colle Belvedere. The winery also offers wine experiences (tours, tastings) and a Wine Club membership program. Wines are sold through e-commerce (shop.umbertocesari.com).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Moma: Wine line dedicated to the world of art; acronym for 'My Own Masterpiece', with first label dedicated to Giorgio Morandi
• Malise
• Costa di Rose

Products and services

• Liano Red blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of amarena cherry and vanilla; for wine enthusiasts and collectors seeking a signature Italian red.
• Liano Bianco White blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Sauvignon Blanc aged in Allier tonneaux; positioned as a premium white wine for restaurants and collectors.
• Ca' Grande Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore made from 100% Sangiovese, with notes of red fruits and flowers; positioned as an accessible Sangiovese Superiore.
• Sangiovese Riserva Traditional Sangiovese Riserva with notes of violet and toasted coffee, dry and full-bodied; aimed at collectors and Ho.Re.Ca. accounts.
• Laurento Sangiovese Riserva with aromas of forest fruits and spices, tannic and velvety; for premium on-trade and collector customers.
• Umberto 100% Merlese (a grape combining Merlot and Sangiovese characteristics), vinified in concrete and amphorae; positioned as a signature premium wine.
• Resultum 100% Sangiovese, elegant and refined with great structure and longevity, vinified in concrete and amphorae; positioned as a top-end single-varietal Sangiovese.
• Tauleto Blend of 90% Sangiovese Grosso and 10% Uve Longanesi, produced only in best vintages, aged in French Allier barriques; a flagship premium red.
• Yemula Blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Merlot, aged in Allier tonneaux, with notes of blackberry and plum; for premium on-trade accounts.
• Costa di Rose Sangiovese Rosé with antique pink color, freshness, pleasant savoriness and persistent fruity aroma; marketed with a Tiffany blue and white striped label inspired by 1950s iconography.
• Moma Rosso Blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot with intense, velvety bouquet; part of the Moma art-themed line (My Own Masterpiece), with labels dedicated to artists such as Giorgio Morandi.
• Moma Bianco White blend of Trebbiano, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon with fruity notes; part of the Moma art-themed line.
• Moma Spumante 100% Pignoletto sparkling wine, fresh and refined with fine persistent perlage; positioned as an entry-tier sparkling wine from the Moma line.
• Colle del Re Passito 100% Albana di Romagna passito wine aged 24 months in barrique, with notes of peach, apricot, citrus peel, and hazelnut; positioned as a premium dessert wine.
• Colle Belvedere Pignoletto Frizzante from the oldest grape variety of Emilia Romagna, young and fragrant; positioned as an accessible entry-level sparkling wine.
• Malise Sangiovese Organic Sangiovese wine, the winery's first organic wine, vinified in spherical concrete tanks and cocciopesto amphorae using innovative sustainable winemaking; part of the Malise line.
• Malise Trebbiano Trebbiano wine fermented and aged in spherical concrete containers and cocciopesto amphorae; part of the Malise line of indigenous-variety wines.
• Wine Experiences On-site wine tourism experiences including Picnic in the Vineyard (2 hours), Wine Tour Prestige (3 hours), tastings, and corporate event hosting at the Castel San Pietro Terme estate; for individual visitors and corporate groups.
• Wine Club Membership program offering special promotions, services, and access to wines via the e-commerce platform; targeted at individual wine enthusiasts and repeat buyers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% of vineyards converted to organic farming
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Santa Margherita: Italian premium wine group producing Pinot Grigio and other Veneto/Alto Adige wines. Comparable as a premium Italian wine portfolio company with international distribution.
• Masi Agricola: Listed Italian premium wine producer specializing in Amarone and Veneto appellations. Comparable as a publicly disclosed Italian premium wine house with diversified wine tourism, restaurant, and DTC operations.
• Tasca d'Almerita: Family-owned Sicilian premium wine producer with multi-estate portfolio. Comparable on family ownership, single-region premium focus, and international on-premise recognition.
• Marchesi de' Frescobaldi: Historic Italian wine family with extensive Tuscan estates producing premium Sangiovese and Super Tuscans. Comparable on multi-estate portfolio model, premium positioning, family ownership, and wine tourism infrastructure.
• Marchesi Antinori: Iconic Italian multi-generational wine family producing premium Sangiovese-based wines (notably Tignanello) across multiple Tuscan estates. Directly comparable as a family-owned premium Italian winery with multi-estate portfolio, international distribution, and tourism infrastructure.
• Banfi: Premium Italian wine producer (Brunello di Montalcino) with significant U.S. distribution and hospitality operations. Comparable on premium Italian wine focus and multi-channel distribution strategy.
• Planeta: Family-owned Sicilian premium wine producer with multi-estate portfolio and wine tourism infrastructure. Comparable on regional Italian premium positioning and DTC plus hospitality model.
• Gaja: Premium Piedmont-based family winery producing Barbaresco and Barolo. Comparable on family ownership, premium positioning, international recognition, and single-vineyard Cru portfolio structure.

Broad incumbents

• Zonin1821: Largest privately held Italian wine group with nine estates across multiple regions. Comparable as a broader premium Italian wine portfolio company though significantly larger and multi-region.
• Cantine Riunite & Civ (GIV): Large Italian wine group including premium brands like Ruffino and Bolla. Comparable on Italian premium wine portfolio operations, though operating at substantially greater scale with broader channel reach.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/umbertocesari
• Facebookfacebook.com/UmbertoCesari
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/umberto-cesari
• Instagraminstagram.com/umbertocesari

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Umberto Cesari Winery