Paolo Bea is near the commune of Montelfaco in central Umbria. The 37-acre domaine has been in the Bea family for nearly 500 years, and is today run by patriarch Paolo, his wife and two sons. Like most traditional Italian family farms, the property has historically been home to a variety of crops, orchards and farm animals. Vineyards and winemaking have always been in the mix, but it wasn’t until 1980 that the family began bottling their wine for commercial sales. Today they farm 13 acres of vineyards, with 60% planted to Sagrantino, an ancient grape grown primarily in Montefalco. Sagrantino is thought to have Greek origins, and its name is believed to come from the word “sagra,” or feast, since red wines were always drunk at seasonal celebrations. Sagrantino wines are rich, full-bodied and relatively tannic, giving them the ability to age well. Paolo Bea makes Sagrantino secco, a dry wine, as well as a passito, which is sweet. The domaine also grows Sangiovese, Montepulciano and a few white grapes. The estate is 100% organic. All fruit is harvested by hand and wines are made without filtration.