Marche's Legendary Verdicchio
In the central Italian region of Marche, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, lies a landscape of rolling hills where Villa Bucci has consistently produced some of the world's finest Verdicchio wines.
The Bucci family, with over 300 years of winemaking history, owns approximately 400 hectares of vast land, with 26 hectares dedicated to vineyards that produce wines representing Marche.
Villa Bucci is not merely a producer of Verdicchio.
It is a prestigious winery that has made its mark in the Italian white wine world as "the entity that elevated the very value of Verdicchio to a global standard."
The Bucci Family's 300+ Year History
For generations, the Bucci family has been involved in agriculture and wine production in this region, continuously safeguarding Marche's indigenous grape varieties, Verdicchio and Montepulciano.
Amidst this long history, the 1970s marked a turning point for the winery. Amperio Bucci, a university professor and accomplished businessman, initiated a serious wine project.
His goal was not merely local wine, but "wines that reflect the terroir, like those of Burgundy."
He believed in the potential of Verdicchio, which was not yet fully appreciated at the time, and passionately dedicated himself to improving its quality. This led to the birth of "Stile Bucci," which would later gain global recognition.
Amperio Bucci's Philosophy: "Wine is made in the vineyard"
Amperio Bucci had an unwavering philosophy.
"Wine is not born in the cellar. Wine is made in the vineyard."
True to his words, Villa Bucci meticulously crafts wines that maximize the individuality of the vineyards, without solely relying on winemaking techniques.
With the support of the late Giorgio Grai, a leading Italian winemaker and known as the "master of white wine," they established their unique blending techniques. Furthermore, by skillfully utilizing barrels of different capacities and materials, they have produced unique Verdicchio and Rosso Piceno wines.
Villa Bucci's wines breathe with the "individuality of the land," something that cannot be achieved through mere technique.
An innovator who transformed the value of Verdicchio
Verdicchio was once widely perceived as a "casual white wine," rarely seen as a premium wine capable of long aging.
However, Amperio Bucci overturned this common perception.
By creating Verdicchio wines capable of aging for over 10 years, he pioneered a new category of "high-quality Verdicchio."
His innovation was highly praised worldwide, and in 2019, he received the "Career Award" from the prestigious Slow Food Association, which protects Italian food culture, in recognition of his lifetime achievements.
Villa Bucci's achievement was not merely producing excellent wine.
It was changing the future of the Verdicchio grape variety.
That is Amperio Bucci's greatest legacy in the world of wine.
Exceptional Quality Forged by Old Vines and Terroir
Villa Bucci's vineyards stretch across the hills of the Castelli di Jesi region, supported by clay soils rich in limestone.
This soil imparts beautiful acidity and a firm structure to the grapes, making long-term aging possible. Furthermore, many of the vineyards feature old vines, over 55 years old, and some even exceeding 65 years, whose deep roots reflect the land's minerals and complexity into the wine.
Moreover, at Villa Bucci, harvesting and winemaking are carried out plot by plot, carefully assessing each parcel's individuality before blending.
The harmony created by varying altitudes, orientations, and subtle soil differences results in a Verdicchio of unparalleled depth.
Beautiful Aging from Nearly 100-Year-Old Barrels
In Villa Bucci's cellar, large Slavonian oak barrels, approximately 100 years old, are still in use.
These old barrels no longer impart woody aromas to the wine.
Instead, they play a crucial role in allowing the wine to breathe slowly, promoting natural aging and stabilization.
"Villa Bucci Riserva," produced only in good vintages, is made from grapes from the oldest vineyards and aged for a minimum of 18 months.
Its flavor is so complex that it overturns the conventional concept of Verdicchio, boasting a deep finish reminiscent of apricot, spice, and minerality.
Legacy in the Italian Wine World
Amperio Bucci not only developed his own winery but also dedicated himself to the advancement of the entire Italian wine industry.
In 2008, he joined as a founding member of "FIVI (Vignaioli Indipendenti)," an organization that protects the value of small producers, working tirelessly for the future of winemakers.
His passion and philosophy are still inherited by many winemakers today.
An Iconic Winery Recognized Globally
In 2025, Villa Bucci was also selected by Forbes, the global business magazine, as one of the "100 Iconic Wineries of the World."
This demonstrates that Villa Bucci is not just a local luminary, but an "iconic winery representing Italy" that has established its global reputation.
The Future of Villa Bucci, Inherited
In 2024, Villa Bucci was acquired by the Veronesi family, a prominent Italian business family.
Under the leadership of young wine enthusiast Federico Veronesi, the winery has begun a new chapter with the artisans who have supported it for many years.
And on August 21, 2025, Amperio Bucci, who was the very soul of Villa Bucci, passed away at the age of 89.
However, the wines he built throughout his life will continue to be cherished around the world.
In every glass, the respect for the land he believed in and his passion for Verdicchio still quietly reside.
Founder Amperio Bucci's unwavering philosophy
"Wine is not born in the cellar. Wine is made in the vineyard."
