Officina del Sole: The Hidden Gem of Le Marche
- James Ward
- Sep 8
- 4 min read
Back in October 2024, I was lucky enough to be invited on a tasting trip to Milan. It was short notice and I didn’t really know much about what it would entail, but who turns down a free trip to Italy?
When I arrived, I was picked up and taken straight to an old apartment building on Via Spiga, one of the main shopping streets in Central Milan. I trundled up the stairs and was greeted at the entrance to what appeared to be somebody’s flat. It turned out that I was one of five people whom had been invited on this trip and the wines that we were tasting were all from Marche, a region in Eastern Italy.
As I made my way through each producer’s offering, stopping periodically for some pasta and capers that our private chef had cooked up (I know I’m just rubbing it in now), I was blown away by the quality of the wine coming from a winery called Officina del Sole.
Fast forward to April 2025 and I found myself back in Italy, this time Verona. I was attending the Vinitaly wine exhibition (You may recall me writing about this in a previous issue). My friend and business associate Marco and I were attending the majority of tastings and meetings together, and I insisted we sit down with Officina del Sole. Marco tasted, I tasted (again) and the deal was done.
Who are Officina del Sole?
Officina del Sole is nestled among the rolling hills and sun-drenched landscapes of Italy’s Marche region. It’s truly a winery where tradition meets innovation, and where every bottle tells a story of passion, patience, and place. The winery doubles up as a resort, looking out for miles onto the green hills and vineyards that surround it. One of the reasons I really like them is because they champion youth in an industry that is often dominated by the older generation. The winemaker at Officina del Sole is only 28, yet he makes wines that suggest it has been made by someone with a lot more experience.
Recommendations
Leié Bianco is an elegant white wine crafted by Officina del Sole, designed to embody the gentle warmth and vibrant freshness of the Italian countryside. This wine is a harmonious blend of Passerina and Sauvignon Blanc, carefully harvested at their peak to capture the essence of the season. It’s then aged for six months on lees to add structure and complexity to the wine. Leie Bianco is celebrated for its luminous colour, crisp profile, and its ability to reflect the sun-drenched vineyards from which it hails. It represents the winery’s passion for quality and its devotion to celebrating the natural flavours of the region.
Tasting Notes
The bouquet opens with notes of white flowers, green apple, and a hint of citrus zest. On the palate, the wine is refreshingly crisp, offering nuances of pear, lemon, and subtle mineral undertones. A gentle acidity carries through to a clean, lingering finish, highlighted by an elegant balance of fruit and freshness.
Food Pairing
Leie Bianco is a versatile companion to a variety of dishes, enhancing flavours without overpowering. I’d recommend serving this with fresh seafood, such as grilled prawns or calamari, to accentuate the wine’s vibrant acidity.
Franco is one of the flagship wines of Officina del Sole—a bottle that of Pecorino that encapsulates the estate’s philosophy and its devotion to both innovation and tradition. Named to evoke a sense of honesty, clarity, and straightforward charm, Franco is crafted with the aim of delivering a wine that is both approachable and profound—a genuine expression of its terroir and the artistry of its makers.
Falerio Pecorino DOC is simply Pecorino from the Marche Region
Tasting Notes
A fresh and vertical interpretation of Pecorino. The aromatic profile is characterized by notes of citrus and white flowers. The palate, with its crisp acidity, is lively and minerally with a herbaceous finish. It’s aged on fine lees for six months, which helps give the wine structure and complexity.
Each sip of Franco is a journey—a celebration of balance, vibrancy, and the sun-drenched hills from which it hails. Whether enjoyed young for its exuberant fruit or after a few years in the bottle for greater complexity, Franco remains a testament to the skill and creativity of Officina del Sole’s winemakers.
Food Pairing
Franco’s versatile profile makes it a superb companion at the table, adaptable to a wide range of dishes but I would personally pair it with tagliatelle with asparagus and lemon. Grate a little pecorino cheese on top of this and you’ve got an absolute winner.
I HOPE YOU ENJOED THIS INTRODUCTION TO OFFICINA dEL SOLE, Let us know what you thought! Also, don’t forgeT...
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