Feudi Spada's "La Madonna" Chardonnay Umbria IGP is a remarkable expression of Chardonnay that captures the elegance and purity of Umbria's high-altitude terroir. Sourced from vineyards in Viceno, Castel Viscardo, at 450 metres above sea level, the vines grow on ancient white clay and limestone soils that impart vibrant acidity, pronounced minerality, concentrated fruit, and excellent ageing potential. Cool mountain nights preserve freshness, resulting in a Chardonnay of remarkable finesse and balance.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the grapes are hand-harvested and fermented in cement vats to preserve their natural fruit character. Complete malolactic fermentation in French oak barriques, followed by six months of lees ageing, adds richness, creamy texture, and subtle notes of vanilla and spice without overshadowing the wine's vibrant fruit and mineral core. With an annual production of only around 1,000 bottles, "La Madonna" is one of Feudi Spada's most exclusive flagship wines.
Rather than following the richer, heavily oaked styles of many Chardonnays, "La Madonna" expresses its own distinctive identity—refined, mineral-driven, and beautifully balanced. Layers of stone fruit, citrus, delicate oak, and smoky nuances are supported by lively acidity and a long, elegant finish. Consistently praised by wine enthusiasts, this limited-production Chardonnay demonstrates that Umbria is capable of producing world-class white wines with both immediate appeal and the structure to reward careful cellaring.
Feudi Spada — Discover the Other Face of Umbria
For wine lovers looking beyond the familiar names of Italy, Feudi Spada offers something genuinely intriguing: wines born from a little-known corner of Umbria where history, altitude and volcanic terroir come together. In Viceno, near Castel Viscardo, vineyards sit on the slopes of the Alfina plateau, with high-altitude sites and distinctive clay-limestone soils creating wines marked by freshness, elegance and mineral character.
But Feudi Spada is about more than terroir. Its story reaches back to 1669, when Orazio Spada brought Grenache cuttings back from France. Remarkably, descendants of these historic vines (more than 90 years old) are still preserved today, giving the estate a living connection to its past. Alongside these old vines, Feudi Spada explores varieties such as Grechetto, Syrah, Riesling Renano and Chardonnay, showing how international and local grapes can express themselves through an Umbrian identity.
At the heart of the project is Alessandro Leoni, an agronomist and passionate vigneron whose approach begins in the vineyard. Rather than imposing a predetermined style, Alessandro observes the land, experiments and seeks to reveal what Viceno can naturally produce. That philosophy gives Feudi Spada its individuality: these are wines of place, but also wines of curiosity and discovery.
If you enjoy wines that have a story, a sense of place and something unexpected to say, Feudi Spada is a winery worth discovering.
