The origins of Cantina Scacciadiavoli
At the end of the nineteenth century, Ugo Boncompagni Ludovisi invested considerable capital in a 180-hectare estate extending across the municipalities of Montefalco, Gualdo Cattaneo and Giano dell’Umbria.
Within the estate, 150 hectares of vineyards were planted using the Guyot training system, creating the first specialised vineyard in Umbria. This decision marked an important transition from the traditional practice of growing vines alongside trees, which was still widespread throughout the region, to an innovative French training system that continues to be used today.
A history of innovation
The history of Cantina Scacciadiavoli has always been characterised by its ability to anticipate new developments in winemaking. As early as 1892, the estate was producing a wine made from Sangiovese and Sagrantino, regarded as a forerunner of today’s Montefalco Rosso.
In 1921 and 1924, during the ownership of Senator Vittorio Rolandi Ricci, the winery was also among the first to experiment with the dry vinification of Sagrantino, producing two vintages that became part of the estate’s history.
This innovative spirit continued into the 2000s, when Scacciadiavoli used a native Umbrian red grape variety to produce sparkling wine according to the Traditional Method. This led to the creation of the celebrated Sagrantino-based Scacciadiavoli sparkling wines in Brut and Rosé styles.
In 2023, the winery’s journey into the world of sparkling wine reached another important milestone with the acquisition of the Champagne brand Marie Clugny.
The Pambuffetti family
In 1954, Cantina Scacciadiavoli was acquired by Amilcare Pambuffetti, a member of a family from Foligno well known in the agricultural and food trade. Amilcare already had a deep connection with the estate, having worked there as an estate manager when he was only fourteen years old.
From 1977, his sons Alfio, Settimio and Mario continued their father’s work. In 1992, Settimio’s heirs, the brothers Amilcare, Carlo and Francesco, joined the management of the winery.
Today, the Pambuffetti family has reached its fourth generation. Amilcare and Carlo work alongside their children and grandchildren Liù, Iacopo, Romeo, Fiammetta and Amilcare Junior. Together, they lead Cantina Scacciadiavoli while preserving its origins and carrying its tradition into the future.
An estate preserved through time
Throughout its long history, the estate has had three principal owners: Ugo Boncompagni Ludovisi, Vittorio Rolandi Ricci and the Pambuffetti family.
Despite the changes in ownership and generations, the size of the estate and its central winery building have remained intact. The connection between the winery’s present and its origins has never been broken. Its tradition continues through a modern vision that remains faithful to the winemaking identity of Montefalco and Umbria.
