Sergio Mottura: Excellence in Tuscia

Close-up shot of Sergio Mottura, standing in front of vines — Winery founder Sergio Mottura.

(Image credit: Supplied by Sergio Mottura)

Published 11 October 2026 In Features

After relocating to the enchanting little town of Civitella d'Agliano in the Italian region of Lazio in 1963, founder Sergio Mottura transformed the estate into a key name for high quality wine. For these efforts he received the Leonildo Pieropan Award from the Federazione Italiana Vignaioli Indipendenti (Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers) in 2024.

A pioneering organic winery

Mottura revived Grechetto, one of the key indigenous white grapes of northern Lazio and Umbria. In particular, he focused on the Orvieto biotype, grown across northern Lazio and the namesake area of Umbria, which combines the variety's typical phenolic grip with noteworthy acidity and suave aromatics.

Committed to environmental preservation long before it became a trend, he embraced organic farming and adopted the porcupine – an animal unable to live in a polluted environment – as its logo.

The winery is now led by Mottura's sons: ‘Giuseppe oversees winemaking and cellar logistics; our agronomist Beatrice Scorsino manages operations across our vineyards, and I take care of marketing and administration’, explains Sebastiano Mottura. ‘Sergio still tastes current and aged vintages, and checks in on the wellbeing of our workers’.

Three men harvesting grapes, with a small tractor — The winery is committed to organic farming.

Sergio Mottura’s core wines

The estate's portfolio includes two core expressions of Grechetto: Poggio della Costa is fresh, unoaked – easily approachable but also capable of ageing gracefully. Latorre a Civitella is the pinnacle of the estate's production, and spends nine months in French oak barrels and eight more months on the fine lees to achieve superior depth.

The commitment to excellence isn't limited to Grechetto however. Plots planted to Chardonnay yield a Metodo Classico Brut Nature that draws its distinctive character from the same volcanic soils and six to nine years of ageing on the lees.

The winery's portfolio also features beautiful expressions of Orvieto DOC made from blends for Grechetto and Procanico, in addtion to Muffo, a moreish passito sweet style made from 100% Grechetto. And not to be overlooked is Sergio Mottura's range of exciting reds – such as the 100% Syrah bottling, Syracide, grown in volcanic soils and aged in barrique for 24 months.

Barrels in a cellar — Latorre a Civitella spends nine months in French oak.

Visiting the estate and staying at La Tana dell’Istrice

Housed in the family's historic home in Civitella d’Agliano, the boutique hotel La Tana dell’Istrice is an ideal base for exploring nearby attractions including the town of Orvieto and Lake Bolsena.

Guests can also enjoy an immersive winery tour: ‘The journey begins 15m below the main square in our tuff-cut cellars by sipping a glass of blanc de blancs amid barrels and bottles,’ remarks Mottura.

‘Emerging into the daylight atop the Monaldesca tower, the Tiber Valley and Alviano WWF Oasis stand on one side, while the town of Civita di Bagnoregio surmounts dramatic gullies on the other. The tasting continues inside the grand salons of our 16th-century palazzo, accompanied by seasonal, Tuscia-inspired dishes.’

This experience transforms a full stay at Sergio Mottura into an unforgettable exploration of one of Italy's most captivating and untouched corners.