IN BREVE
- Arnaldo Caprai died at 92, leaving an important legacy in Umbrian and Italian entrepreneurship, especially in the wine sector.
- He transformed Sagrantino di Montefalco into a denomination of international prestige, collaborating with his son Marco to further develop the company.
- His career began in the textile sector, but he changed course in the 1970s, investing in viticulture and founding Tenuta Val di Maggio.
- His vision united entrepreneurship and scientific research, leading Sagrantino to consolidate its presence in international markets.
- Marco Caprai will continue his father’s legacy, guiding the winery toward sustainable practices and focusing on research and quality.
Arnaldo Caprai, a leading figure in Umbrian and Italian entrepreneurship and central to the promotion of Sagrantino di Montefalco, has died at the age of 92. With the winery that bears his name, Caprai transformed a locally grown grape variety into an internationally recognized denomination. Arnaldo Caprai leaves behind his wife Fiorella and his children Marco, Luca, and Arianna.
News of his passing was also shared by Confagricoltura, which remembered him as “an authentic ambassador of Umbria to the world.” Emphasizing the decisive role he played in developing Montefalco’s viticulture and positioning Sagrantino among the world’s finest wines.
ARNALDO CAPRAI, FROM TEXTILES TO VITICULTURE IN UMBRIA
Arnaldo Caprai’s entrepreneurial career began in the textile sector. In Foligno, he built a successful business, combining his work with a passion for collecting antique lace. In the 1970s, he decided to invest in agriculture and in his region, purchasing Tenuta Val di Maggio in Montefalco, a 42-hectare property, four of which were already planted with vines.
From that decision emerged a project destined to profoundly impact the history of Sagrantino. Over the years, Caprai progressively expanded the vineyard area, acquiring the best adjacent land and launching a path of research and experimentation that would bring the denomination to previously unexplored quality levels. In 2002, he was awarded the title of Knight of Labor for Merit in Agriculture.
SAGRANTINO AS AN INDUSTRIAL PROJECT
Arnaldo Caprai’s name remains linked to the creation of a production model that united entrepreneurial vision, scientific research, and territorial promotion. Work carried forward over the years together with his son Marco Caprai, now leading the company, through collaborations with industry professionals and university institutes engaged in agronomic and oenological research.
Thanks to this approach, Sagrantino di Montefalco has consolidated its identity and its presence in international markets, becoming one of the symbols of Umbrian wine worldwide.
Angelini acquires Arnaldo Caprai and invests in Sagrantino di Montefalco
IN BREVE Angelini Wines & Estates has acquired a majority stake in Arnaldo Caprai, the historic winery that symbolizes Sagrantino di Montefalco. The agreement aims to strengthen the Angelini group’s international presence in the fine wines sector. Arnaldo Caprai, founded in 1971, has brought Sagrantino di Montefalco back to the center…
Michel Rolland, Marco Caprai’s tribute: “He changed the world of wine”
IN BREVE Michel Rolland has passed away suddenly in Bordeaux at the age of 78, after leaving a significant mark on international oenology. Marco Caprai remembers Rolland as a man of courtesy and irony, highlighting his contribution to making wine finer and more elegant. Rolland transformed the global wine landscape between…
Arnaldo Caprai Dies, Farewell to the King of Sagrantino di Montefalco
IN BREVE Arnaldo Caprai died at 92, leaving an important legacy in Umbrian and Italian entrepreneurship, especially in the wine sector. He transformed Sagrantino di Montefalco into a denomination of international prestige, collaborating with his son Marco to further develop the company. His career began in the textile sector, but he…
INSTITUTIONAL CONDOLENCES
The institutional world also joined in mourning the news. The President of the Umbria Region, Stefania Proietti, expressed “deepest condolences” to the family. Defining Caprai as a central figure in regional entrepreneurship and “a man with an extraordinary vision, capable of combining tradition and innovation in both the manufacturing and wine worlds.” The entire Regional Council extended condolences to the family.
THE CAPRAI FAMILY AND THE LEGACY
His journey remains a reference point for the Italian wine world, not only for the results achieved, but for the method by which he connected business, territory, and viticultural identity. Marco Caprai will carry forward Arnaldo Caprai’s legacy, having taken over the winery founded by his father in 1988. He is responsible for launching a structured project to promote Sagrantino, focusing on research, innovation, and quality.
A path that has led the Arnaldo Caprai winery to quickly establish itself as one of the leading names internationally. Today the company extends over approximately 174 hectares, of which 160 are planted with vines in the Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG, Montefalco DOC, and Colli Martani DOC denominations, with a production of approximately one million bottles per year.
The business is oriented toward a modern and sustainable viticulture model, adhering to the New Green Revolution protocol. With a commercial presence of 70% in the Italian market and 30% abroad.
