Terra del Carmine, Umbria
Formerly known as "Chiesa del Carmine" this hidden gem is situated at the foot of Monte Tezio in the Tiber Valley, approximately 20 minutes drive from Perugia, Umbria. Its recent history starts in 2005 when the Sinclair family purchased the ruin of Sodo Pulito, the “Casa Padronale” of the estate in this beautiful valley, along with 6 hectares of abandoned olive groves.
David Lang and Christie Todd began working with the Sinclair family soon after, managing this property and the surrounding olive groves.
Early in 2009 the Sinclair family also purchased the Chiesa del Carmine estate, this property of 124 hectares included: a derelict church, the adjacent farmhouse, an abandoned vineyard, a leaking dam, alongside extensive farmland and woodlands mainly all in a neglected state.
A brief word on the Sinclair family: Jeremy and Jacqueline Sinclair, Jeremy is the highly regarded and famous British advertising executive and businessman best known as a co founder of Saatchi and Saatchi in 1970 and CEO of M&C Saatchi in 1995. Jacqueline studied graphic design and worked for Saatchi and Saatchi as a visualiser and illustrator.
Over the twenty years that has passed since the initial purchase, a total transformation has taken place: buildings have been renovated to become wine cellars, a restaurant and a cooking school. Also woodland dedicated to truffles has emerged and new plots of vines were planted. The first in 2011 consisting of red grape varieties, namely Sangiovese, Sagrantino (referred to Umbria Rosso IGT outside of the Sagrantino DOC denomination) and Merlot consisting of 3 hectares in total.
The decision on rootstock was based on advice from viticulturalist Stefano Dini following extensive soil analysis in addition to the owners desire to focus on making terroir specific wines, true to Umbrian roots (no pun intended)
A second plot of new plantings consisted of local white grape varieties: Trebbiano Spoletino about 1.1 hectares.
In total
Indigenous Umbrian varieties 3.7 hectares … 18,500 plants.
Sangiovese 1.4 ... 7,000 “
Merlot 1.0 ... 5,000 “
Cabernet Sauvignon, small plot ... 2,500 “
The first commercial vintage 2013 for reds was called Vino della Chiesa. Followed by their white 100% Trebbiano Spoletino in 2015.
The latest bottling and numbers:
Indigeno Trebbiano Bianco IGT10,000 bottles
Rosa della Chiesa Sangiovese IGT Rosato 2,200 bottles
Rosabella della Chiesa Merlot IGT Rosato 2,200 bottles
Il Campanile IGT Rosso 7,500 bottles
Bell’Angelo IGT Rosso 1,800 bottles
Rosso del Carmine IGT Rosso 1,600 bottles
All the above under the watchful eye of Giovanni Dubini, Terra del Carmine's consultant winemaker since 2013.
The winery restaurant has evolved through the series of illustrious Michelin starred chefs.
So apart from the continuing excellence coming from the kitchens, wine tastings, cooking classes, truffle hunting, self guided walking maps to explore the valley, and being the first Umbrian Winery to win ‘Wine of the Year’ at the International Sommelier Choice Awards in New York City USA in 2025…
...I cannot think of a single reason to visit! 😂
My visit naturally included an impressive wine tasting, my findings are as follows:
Tasting Notes
Terra del Carmine
Indigeno Trebbiano 2023
Umbria Bianco IGT Bio
Straw yellow in colour. On the nose a mixture of aromas of citrus, green apple, broom floral and dill nuances. Upon entry, yellow peach, distant dried herb and lychee. Bold, clean, linear and balanced. Stone and pebble minerality noted following mid palate. Vibrant acidity keeps the engagement fresh. Racy and fruitful on the close.
Points 92 TW
Terra del Carmine
Indigeno Trebbiano 2022
Umbria Bianco IGT Bio
Golden yellow in colour. Forward concentrated aromatics of yellow apple, white peach, Asian pear and honeysuckle florals. Balanced, full bodied, lemon zest oil noted mid palate which tapers then shows appealing complex sour notes to the finish.
Points 91 TW
Terra del Carmine
Rosa Della Chiesa 2025
Umbria Rosato IGT Bio
Sangiovese
A soft shade of salmon pink in colour with a faint copper tone. Aromatic notes of pink rose petal, pink lady apple, plum, almond and iron ore minerality. On the palate vertical, fresh, agile, complex, savoury, saline notes, balanced and youthful. Needs a year or so of bottle age to relax and flush out further character.
Points 88-90 TW
Terra del Carmine
Rosabella della Chiesa 2025
Umbria Rosato IGT Bio
Merlot
Medium salmon pink in colour. A touch inward looking. Very youthful. A breeze of meadow florals came a with hints of white and pink rose petal. Also red berry fruits, maybe wild strawberry noted. On the palate, distant herbaceous notes, fresh, crisp and essence of sour cherry with a distinct savoury note on the close.
Points 90 TW
Terra del Carmine
Rosso del Carmine IGT 2023
Merlot 60% Sangiovese 40%
Ruby red in colour with undertones of purple. Aromatics of black berry fruits, violet florals, liquorice, dark cherry, damp earth, eucalyptus, toasted tobacco, dark chocolate and French mint (peppery and floral). On the palate, Morello cherry, plum, creamy, balanced and engaging. Medium bodied, fine tannins, sea bed minerality leads to faint white pepper notes on the long, juicy conclusion.
Points 93 TW
Terra del Carmine
Il Campanile 2022
Rosso IGT
Sangiovese 45% Umbrian grape 40% and Merlot 15%
Bright ruby red in colour. Aromatics of crushed red rose petal and honeysuckle florals, woodland scents. On the palate, dark cherry, blackberry, salty liquorice and bitter chocolate. Full of energy, earthy and savoury, rich with glorious textural depth, so vibrant, leaves the palate with a tingling sensation. Long and broad on the articulated finish.
Points 93+ TW
Terra del Carmine
Il Campanile 2021
Rosso IGT
Sangiovese Umbrian grape, Merlot
Deep ruby red in colour. Aromatics of violet, bluebell and pale rose petal florals. On the sip, blackcurrant, blueberry, oaky vanilla, pipe tobacco, dried bitter herbs, dark cherry, liquorice, orange peel and distant menthol. Smooth and agile upon entry, has energy in abundance, structured, boisterous and juicy. Layered in textural resonance. Hauntingly long on the close.
Points 95 TW
Terra del Carmine
Bell’angelo della Chiesa 2023
Rosso IGT
Cabernet Sauvignon 45% Merlot 40% Umbrian grape varieties 15%
Deep ruby red in colour with bright red garnet undertones. Aromatic profile consisting of blue and purple florals, ripe black berry fruits, chocolate, Bing cherry, salty liquorice, crushed rock minerality and damp woodland scents. On the palate, rich, vibrant, linear, full of pulsating vigour, showing complex depth and volume. Long and broad on the finish.
Points 94 TW
My sincere thanks for the wonderful hospitality to the owners Mr and Mrs Sinclair and especially to the Director David Lang who arranged my tasting and visit to the outstanding Terra del Carmine.
TW
© Tony Wood Italian Wine 2026
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