Legacy in a Bottle: Cleto Chiarli and the Revival of Lambrusco

From historic trattorias to modern wine bars, Cleto Chiarli is redefining Lambrusco with tradition, innovation, and a global vision.

Cleto Chiarli’s history dates back to 1860.

Tradition and innovation meet at Cleto Chiarli.

The wineries namesake founded Emilia-Romagna’s first official wine company in 1860. Today the winery is on the cutting edge of a Lambrusco revolution. Still family-owned, Cleto Chiarli has put its stamp on Lambrusco, an iconic sparkling red wine with deep regional roots.

“We’ve maintained our legacy through family continuity,” Tommaso Chiarli, fifth-generation owner and Export Manager said. “My father and uncle’s memories and best practices form the foundation of how we operate today.”

Tasting through the Cleto Chiarli Lambrusco demonstrate the renaissance that is underway. The winery has returned to crafting brilliant sparkling red wine with its traditional, drier roots and single-varietal expressions like Sorbara and Grasparossa.

There was a time when Lambrusco production was overly sweet and mass produced, but Cleto Chiarli has crafted wines of distinction that are perfect for summer nights on the patio, barbeques, picnics and happy hours everywhere.

“In the late ’90s, Lambrusco disappeared from many markets,” Chiarli said. “So we created a new way to make classic Lambrusco: dry, fresh, and expressive. It’s produced at the Cleto Chiarli winery, uses 100% sweet must and a single fermentation.”

Cleto Chiarli has deep roots in Emilia-Romagna.