In a competition dominated by wines from more prominent Italian regions, Il Campanile,  a blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, and Merlot from Chiesa del Carmine in Umbria, stood apart at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards, winning Sangiovese of the Year, Wine of the Year – Italy, and a Gold Medal with 95 points. Judged by leading sommeliers and Master Sommeliers, the awards recognize wines that shine in on-premise settings, restaurants, wine bars, and hotels, for their balance, versatility, and food-pairing potential. In this interview, we speak with Estate Manager David Lang, who has spent two decades developing the property alongside its owners, about what this recognition means for the winery, how they’re approaching international markets, and why Il Campanile is a compelling expression of both Sangiovese and Umbrian terroir.

Image: Aerial view of Chiesa del Carmine in Umbria.

Congratulations on Il Campanile winning not only Sangiovese of the Year, but also Wine of the Year – Italy at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards. How do you plan to leverage this recognition in your marketing efforts, particularly in on-premise venues?

We have already printed out copies of the awards to accompany the wines in our sales displays.  Our sommeliers are letting all the visitors to the winery know about the award, and we have started emailing past clients and restaurants who sell this wine to let them know the good news. 

Image: Il Campanile 2021 won Sangiovese of the Year and Wine of the Year – Italy at the 2025 Sommeliers Choice Awards.

Can you tell us more about how Il Campanile is positioned in international markets? Where is it currently available — in terms of countries, retail chains, and restaurants?

We presently ship this wine, as well as the others in our catalogue, to private clients all over the world.  We are only a small boutique organic producer which makes this award all the more important to us. 

https://chiesadelcarmine.com/vineria/shop/find-our-wine/ 

How are you supporting your importers and distributors in the U.S. and abroad to drive awareness and sales? Are there any specific programs or marketing initiatives in place?

We have a mail-out planned to private clients.  We don’t presently have a distributor/importer in the USA, although we are very keen on finding one.  

It is presently the highest of the high tourist season here in Umbria. Our winery is very busy with visitors, pre-wedding events, as all the properties locally are full with guests, so our focus is presently on making sure all these people are well looked after and enjoy their experiences with us. 

Image: Barrel room at Vineria del Carmine.

Could you share any expansion plans for the U.S. market or other international regions where demand for high-quality Italian blends is on the rise?

This is a work in progress. 

What kind of marketing activities, whether tastings, digital campaigns, trade events, or collaborations, do you find most effective for your wines? Are you planning anything special around this award win?

Not as yet, presently, the focus is on publicising this through the tastings at our Vineria.  We have between 25 and 50 people a day visiting presently for either lunches, wine experiences, cooking classes, or truffle hunts. 

Image: Truffle hunting and wine tasting at Vineria del Carmine.

Let’s talk about Il Campanile itself. This is not a straight varietal but a blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, and Merlot. What do you think makes this wine stand out to top sommeliers, and what inspired this blend?

Il Campanile is a proud ambassador of Umbria and the Chiesa del Carmine terroir. It is a red wine that speaks of the incredibly rich soil and special microclimate conditions it is made in, with its unmistakable freshness and unique mineral character. It is a great example of how Umbria, in spite of being a less well-known wine region and behind when it comes to wine marketing, is capable of producing little gems that can draw sommeliers' attention internationally.

Image: The winery and (Right) Sommelier Mattia.

What steps has Chiesa del Carmine taken toward sustainability, both in the vineyard and the cellar?

The owners of the farm are vegetarians, and the farm is certified organic.  We focus on sustainability across the farm.  From our spraying programs, where we use environmentally safe, biodegradable fertilizers and chemicals, none of which persist in the soils. Long-term sustainability of this beautiful farmland where we make our wines and EVO is our principal objective.   We use cover crops of fava beans in the winter between each row of grape vines to encourage the growth of preferred invertebrates and support a natural mechanism of pest control. This cover crop also reduces the evaporation rate of irrigation water and puts essential nitrogen into the soil.  There is a lot I could write here about practices in the winery relating to lighter bottles to help with shipping, water management in the winery, our underground barrel room to allow for natural cooling, our electric car for local wine deliveries, etc.  Since the opening of our Vineria in 2017, we have made a commitment to utilize local suppliers and farms for food and produce required for restaurant operations to reduce carbon emissions associated with transporting these items.  We are an agriturismo, so a large part of the produce that arrives on people’s plates originates from our farm and vegetable gardens.  We recycle wildly, and all staff are asked to participate in a winery-wide recycling program for cardboard, paper, bottles, packaging, office supplies, etc.   Most of our employees are sourced from our local village, providing a connection to our local community and helping to create economic sustainability from the ground up.  After the earthquake in April 2024, three staff members were added who had lost their jobs locally due to the damage inflicted on local businesses. 

Image: Vineyard work in progress.

Finally, what does this recognition mean for you personally, having spent two decades helping shape Chiesa del Carmine into what it is today?

Personally, it is wonderful to receive recognition for the quality of our wines.  We believe they are truly special. Our visitors constantly say our winery is a hidden secret, and it’s wonderful for our region to receive recognition for the quality of its wines.  I strongly believe great wines are made in beautiful places, and there are few more spectacular grape growing environments than where we work. 

Conclusion

Chiesa del Carmine may still be a boutique operation, but Il Campanile’s success signals growing international interest in lesser-known regions like Umbria, especially when backed by thoughtful farming, careful winemaking, and a deep commitment to place. As the estate navigates a busy tourist season and seeks its first U.S. importer, the award win serves as both validation and opportunity. And for David Lang, who has watched the estate grow from the ground up, it’s a moment to pause and reflect,  not only on the quality of the wine, but on the shared belief that beautiful places, when cared for with integrity, can yield wines worth paying attention to.

Header Image: Winery Team at  Vineria del Carmine.

In conversation with Malvika Patel, Editor and VP, Beverage Trade Network

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