The estate of Le Velette is right in the centre of the Orvieto Classico production, on the heights directly opposite the rock on which Orvieto stands.
The wine-making tradition of the area is ancient. The Etruscans were the first grape cultivators and wine producers, and the grottoes they dug out of the tufa for cellars can still be seen today on our land. Later the Romans, too, and for a long time, produced wine here. The presence of numerous finds, pots etc. is witness to the fact. Some centuries later, the area became property of the Premonstratensian monks, who, besides producing grapes, extended the marvellous cellar dug out of the tufa that can still be visited today.
Later, the estate became the property of the Count Negroni family and was bought about the middle of the 19th century by the Felici family, Orvieto bankers, from whom the present owners, the Bottai family, are descended on the female side.
The firm's crest is still the Felici family crest.
Along with the very latest technology Le Velette religiously guards its very old traditions. This combination produces high quality wines. The fortunate position of the soil, exposed to the sun's rays from dawn to dusk has always favoured the cultivation of grapes. In addition, the microclimate and the tufa soil are extraordinarily favourable for wine and olive production. Hence excellent olive oil.
All the wines are bottled on the estate. Le Velette products are thus entirely the result of our own grapes grown in highly specialised vineyards and our work of preparation undertaken with the greatest respect for the traditions.
The prestige and esteem that Le Velette enjoys among experts from all over the world arises, therefore, from an unrepeatable harmony of the physical position of the slopes, the careful selection and maintenance of the vineyards, the estate's enological tradition and the up-to-date machinery.