Librandi

Nicodemo Librandi is considered the 'father' of Ciro', because it is thanks to his hard work that Ciro' wines have become popular in the international markets. He passed away in 2023 and he is remembered as a visionary wine entrepreneur. Nicodemo’s father started to make wine in the 50s but it is only later, in the 70s, that Nicodemo and his brother Tonino started to produce new wines elevating the quality of the range. Today the winery comprises 6 estates, 232 hectares of vineyards plus 80 hectares of olive groves and is run by the brothers’ sons and daughters who continue the legacy of the founders. Nicodemo was a school professor of mathematics who turned out to be a pioneer in winemaking in Calabria. He focussed on the production and marketing side, and his older brother was managing the cellar, the staff and the administration. It was Nicodemo though who committed to the traditional Calabrian grape varieties by studying them, analysing the different clones of Gaglioppo, Greco Bianco and other rare varieties in collaboration with Italian Universities and the help of the famous oenologist Donato Lanati and ampelographer Anna Schneider. With them he wrote eye-opening articles and even a book about the rediscovery of a viticulture that enhances local varieties, first and foremost Gaglioppo, often forgotten or in any case rare.