Mi.Le.Ghi.: a historic gold medal for heroic viticulture in Umbria
Produced by the Mi.Le.Ghi. agricultural estate, Lilium della Serra has been awarded a gold medal at the Mondial des Vins Extrêmes, marking a historic first for an Umbrian winery in this international competition. Organized by Cervim (Center for Research, Environmental Sustainability and Advancement of Mountain Viticulture) under the patronage of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and authorized by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, the prestigious event celebrates world-class excellence in heroic viticulture.
Selected from a field of over 1,000 competing labels, the IGT white wine from the Gubbio-based estate secured the gold medal on its absolute debut. Crafted from the 2025 harvest, Lilium della Serra will officially launch on the market in autumn 2026, joining Calluna della Serra, Mi.Le.Ghi.’s flagship wine in production since 2020. The weight of this international award reflects the very genesis of the agricultural estate, founded by three partners to pioneer an unprecedented viticultural model in the territory of Gubbio and Upper Umbria. This competition milestone rewards an entrepreneurial journey focused on enhancing an pristine microterroir, successfully transforming a pioneering mountain viticulture project into a globally recognized producer of excellence.
“We simply wanted to pursue one of our core passions, having always been fascinated by the world of winemaking. We combined this with our love for nature and mountain biking, as it was during our cycling rides through the Gubbio countryside that we began seriously discussing the project of planting a heroic vineyard.”
The vineyard spans two hectares in the Serra di Burano, reclaimed from a state of abandonment at an altitude exceeding 800 meters above sea level, with a south-southwestern exposure and slopes exceeding 30%. Agronomic management is strictly organic and focused on ecosystem preservation, featuring a selection of three grape cultivars based on a twenty-year climate database, soil analysis conducted by two universities, and microclimate surveys covering local sun exposure and airflow patterns. “With this project, we were the first to experiment with high-altitude viticulture oriented toward commercial production. We didn’t know what results we would achieve, even though the initial studies gave us confidence. That is why this recognition holds such a special meaning for us”.
