Collection: Carema: Muraje

Muraje: A Beacon of Heroic Viticulture in Carema

Nestled in the vertiginous terraces of Carema, a historic appellation in Piedmont’s Alpine foothills, Muraje is a boutique winery dedicated to preserving the region’s centuries-old winemaking traditions while crafting ethereal expressions of Nebbiolo. Founded in 2016 by Federico and Deborah Santini, the estate takes its name from the local dialect term for the dry-stone walls (muraje) that sustain its steep, sun-drenched vineyards, a testament to the “heroic viticulture” required to farm this rugged landscape.

Terroir and Tradition
Muraje’s 1.3 hectares of organically farmed vineyards cling to altitudes of 300–600 meters, where the rare Picotendro clone of Nebbiolo thrives alongside indigenous varieties like Neyret, Ner d’Ala, and Erbaluce. The terraces, supported by ancient stone pillars (pilun) and pergola trellises (topia), create a microclimate where glacial moraine soils and diurnal temperature shifts yield grapes of striking purity and mineral tension. These conditions, combined with the reflective heat stored in the stone walls, allow Nebbiolo to ripen slowly, developing delicate floral aromas and vibrant acidity, a hallmark of Carema’s distinct style.

Winemaking Philosophy
The Santinis embrace minimal intervention, employing spontaneous fermentations with native yeasts and eschewing additives except for minimal sulfur. Their tiny garage winery, tucked into Carema’s labyrinthine streets, reflects their artisanal ethos: wines like the Sumié Carema DOC (100% Picotendro) undergo extended maceration in concrete tanks before aging in neutral oak, resulting in translucent reds with notes of wild cherry, alpine herbs, and chalky precision. Meanwhile, the Lasú Rosso, a blend of Nebbiolo with local varieties, showcases rustic complexity, while the Fileura Erbaluce reimagines this often-overlooked white grape through skin contact and lees aging, offering textures akin to orange wine.

Reviving a Legacy
Muraje stands at the forefront of Carema’s revival, a movement driven by a new generation reclaiming abandoned vineyards and championing the appellation’s heritage. Once a celebrated source of Nebbiolo for medieval nobility, Carema faced near-collapse in the 20th century due to economic hardship and depopulation. Today, producers like Muraje are rekindling its reputation, balancing tradition with innovation. Their limited annual production of around 2,500 bottles of Carema DOC and 1,700 bottles of Vino da Tavola underscores both the scarcity and artisanal care behind each release.

A Testament to Place
Muraje’s wines are more than beverages; they are narratives of a landscape where humanity and nature collaborate against formidable odds. From the painstaking restoration of ancient terraces to the preservation of heirloom clones, the Santinis’ work encapsulates Piedmont’s alpine soul. As critics and sommeliers increasingly seek wines of “delicacy and captivating aromas,” Muraje’s offerings, steeped in the mineral essence of Carema’s cliffs, stand as luminous examples of terroir-driven authenticity. For those drawn to Nebbiolo’s elegant, alpine-driven expressions, Muraje is a pilgrimage worth making.

Muraje：英雄式葡萄園復興者

在 Piedmont 阿爾卑斯山麓的歷史產區 Carema，Muraje 酒莊猶如峭壁上的燈塔，守護著 Nebbiolo 的極致純淨與山區釀酒傳統。由 Federico 與 Deborah Santini 夫婦於 2016 年創立，酒莊名稱源自當地方言 muraje（乾砌石牆），這些支撐陡峭梯田的古老石牆，正是「英雄式葡萄種植」的活見證。

風土與歷史傳承
Muraje 的 1.3 公頃有機葡萄園分佈於海拔 300-600 公尺的險坡，種植稀有 Nebbiolo 克隆 Picotendro 與本土品種 Neyret、Ner d’Ala、Erbaluce。葡萄藤攀附於 topia（棚架系統），梯田由千年 pilun（石柱）支撐，冰碛土壤與劇烈晝夜溫差孕育出礦物張力驚人的果實。石牆蓄積的反射熱能，讓 Nebbiolo 緩慢熟成，發展出纖細花香與活躍酸度，此乃 Carema 風土的獨特印記。

釀造哲學：極簡主義
Santini 夫婦堅持低干預：僅用天然酵母自發發酵，除微量硫外不添加任何輔料。在 Carema 迷宮般巷弄間的微型酒窖中，誕生如 Sumié Carema DOC（100% Picotendro）等酒款，混凝土槽長時間浸皮後於中性橡木桶陳年，酒液透著野櫻桃、高山草本與白堊岩的剔透礦感。另如混釀酒 Lasú Rosso 展現粗獷複雜度，而橘酒風格的 Fileura Erbaluce 透過浸皮與酒渣陳年，重新定義被低估的白葡萄品種。

復興運動與產量稀缺
Muraje 站在 Carema 復興運動的前沿，這項由新生代發起的行動致力復耕廢棄梯田並重振產區榮光。曾為中世紀貴族供應 Nebbiolo 的 Carema，20 世紀因經濟困境與人口外流瀕臨消亡。如今，Muraje 年產僅 2,500 瓶 Carema DOC 與 1,700 瓶日常餐酒，每瓶皆訴說著人與自然在絕壁上的史詩協作。

風土的終極詮釋
從修復千年石牆到保存珍稀克隆品種，Muraje 的酒款是地貌的液態自傳。權威酒評讚譽其「兼具精緻度與魅惑香氣」，而侍酒師們則在酒液中品出 Carema 斷崖的礦物靈魂。對追求 Nebbiolo 阿爾卑斯風情的鑑賞家而言，Muraje 無疑是一場值得朝聖的風土洗禮。

（註：Carema DOC 為皮埃蒙特北部山區法定產區；Picotendro 為 Nebbiolo 在當地的高海拔適應性克隆；heroic viticulture 指坡度超過 30% 的極艱難葡萄種植）