Librandi

Librandi is based in Melissa, a town said to have been founded by a Cretan prince. Just 10 kilometers from Cirò, Melissa's coastal hamlet, Torre Melissa, overlooks the Ionian Sea. Through its presence and wine production, Librandi helps promote the identity and value of this territory, producing wines such as Asylia Rosso Melissa DOC. The name Melissa evokes sweetness—reminiscent of honey—and contrasts intriguingly with Cirò, a name often interpreted to mean "bitter." Alternatively, some believe Melissa is named after Melisseus, a Cretan prince, while Cirò refers to a man of noble origin.
Melissa DOC wines are produced in both red and white styles. Reds are made predominantly from the native Gaglioppo grape, with up to 25% Greco Nero, while whites are based on Greco Bianco, complemented by Trebbiano and/or Malvasia Bianca. The DOC zone extends from sea level to about 300 meters in elevation, with vineyards lining east-facing hills near the coast. This makes Cirò and Melissa one of the lowest-altitude wine-growing areas in Calabria. Significant day-night temperature swings generate sea breezes that reduce the risk of vine diseases, creating an ideal climate for quality viticulture. This partly explains the success of Cirò DOC and points to the potential of Melissa DOC wines as well.