In Santa Palomba, at the gates of Rome, lies one of the most consistent and genuine wineries in Lazio: Casale Certosa. A story that begins in the 1960s as a simple farm and that, over time, has turned into an independent winery led by the brothers Antonio and Fausto Cosmi.
Their philosophy does not come from fashions or trends, but from a simple principle: to work the land with respect, letting every wine be the reflection of its territory.
The origins: from farmers to independent winegrowers
The Cosmi family started the farm in the early 1960s, growing vineyards in the Castelli Romani area. For decades the grapes were delivered to the local cooperatives, until, at the end of the 1990s, the crisis of the cooperative wineries pushed Antonio and Fausto to take a radical decision: to start vinifying on their own.
And so, in 1999, a new phase of Casale Certosa began. The two brothers decided to abandon industrial standardisation and set out on a personal path, founded on traditional methods and minimal intervention. Not out of ideology, but out of conviction: excellence is not achieved by forcing nature, but by accompanying it.
A concrete approach to quality
Since 2004 the estate has been certified organic, and since 2011 it has experimented with biodynamics through a pragmatic approach. No mystical vision, but the conscious use of practices that encourage the vitality of the soil and the balance of the vineyard.
Their way of working is essential: no chemical weeding, spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts, reduced sulphites and ageing in steel. “Technology must not replace the sensitivity of those who work in the vineyard,” says Antonio, “but rather make it more precise.”
This philosophy has given rise to clean, direct and recognisable wines, able to tell the mineral character of the volcanic soils of the Agro Romano.
A land that speaks through the wine
Casale Certosa extends over 18 hectares, 13 of them planted with vines. The soils, of volcanic and pozzolanic origin, offer natural drainage and a mineral richness that gives the wines freshness and depth.
Among the varieties grown are the most representative whites of Lazio — Malvasia Puntinata, Grechetto and Trebbiano — and the reds Montepulciano, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, with a small presence of Sangiovese.
The range comprises two lines: “Convenio”, dedicated to the single-varietal wines, and a “top” selection with blends such as Alborea (Malvasia Puntinata and Grechetto) and Luperco (based on Montepulciano). The production is completed by Cosmico, a bottle-refermented wine made from Trebbiano grapes, a symbol of the winery’s spontaneous, artisanal approach.
Artisanal, family work
Today Casale Certosa produces around 30,000 bottles a year. Every step, from pruning to harvest, is followed directly by the Cosmi brothers, who live in the farmhouse next to the vineyards. There are no shifts or separate departments: everything passes through their hands.
This direct involvement is reflected in the wines, which do not chase models but seek balance and sincerity. The white Alborea, for example, is appreciated for its immediacy and the citrus note typical of volcanic soils, while the red Luperco stands out for its harmonious structure and clear fruit.
Experiences in the cellar: among the rows and the steel
Casale Certosa welcomes visitors and enthusiasts by appointment, offering a simple but authentic wine-tourism experience. The visit begins with a walk among the vines of Santa Palomba, where Antonio and Fausto tell about the varieties, the cultivation methods and their approach to the vineyard.
Then comes the tour of the cellar, where the processes of fermentation and ageing are explained. The final tasting includes a selection of labels, accompanied by small local bites. Every visit is tailored to the time and the interests of those who come: there are no standard packages, but bespoke experiences, always guided by the owners.
In summer, among the rows, open-air cinema screenings are sometimes organised — evenings that combine wine and culture in an intimate, convivial atmosphere.
A network that brings out the value of the land
Casale Certosa is an active part of FIVI – the Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers, which brings together the wineries that directly oversee the entire production cycle, from the vine to the bottle.
Over time, the estate has built solid bonds with restaurateurs, wine shops and food shops in Rome. Tavernaccia and Taverna Romana offer their wines on tap as an integral part of their list, while estates like DOL – Prodotti di Origine Laziale, Enoteca Trimani and Osteria Fratelli Mori appreciate their consistency and identity.
Casale Certosa also takes part in events and fairs dedicated to artisanal wine, such as Il Sabato del Vignaiolo and the FIVI Wine Market, occasions to make their wines known and to compare notes with other producers who share the same independent spirit.
A philosophy without compromise
The value of Casale Certosa lies in its consistency. Antonio and Fausto do not chase “trendy” labels or certifications, but carry forward a sober, respectful viticulture, where human intervention serves to safeguard, not to correct.
Every bottle is the result of conscious choices: long timing, spontaneous fermentations, no shortcuts. It is a way of working that demands constancy, but that over the years has built a solid reputation among those who look for authentic, territorial wines.
A Roman winery with a country soul
Casale Certosa represents a rare model at the gates of Rome: a farm that has chosen to stay small in order to stay true. The Cosmi brothers have shown that quality is born from daily work and from knowing your own land.
Between Santa Palomba and the Castelli Romani, their vineyards continue to tell a story of family, of territory and of productive freedom.
A story that needs no slogans, only to be poured into the glass.