Chiarli Gallery: A Tribute to Lambrusco’s Legacy and the Soul of Emilia

Italy, known to oenophiles as the land of Enotria—pre-Roman and wine-soaked—still lacks a national wine museum. As Italian wine journalist Camillo Langone pointedly observes, “A National Wine Museum should be created, and yet in Italy, it does not exist. France has one. So does Spain. Even Portugal.” Until that gap is filled, Langone invites us to appreciate what has quietly emerged in the heart of Emilia: the newly inaugurated Galleria Chiarli at the Cialdini Estate  in Castelvetro di Modena.

Housed within the historic Villa Cialdini - Cleto Chiarli estate—Emilia-Romagna’s oldest winery, founded in 1860—the Gallery is more than a collection of memorabilia. It’s a living archive of Lambrusco and the land that shaped it. The space offers an intimate journey through centuries of winemaking, with curated displays of hand-blown glass, vintage bottles, corkscrews, menus, labels, books, and documents spanning from the Este period to the Belle Époque, even touching on a curious Stuart-era episode in Lambrusco’s past.

What sets the Chiarli Gallery apart is not only its depth but its specificity. This is not a generic wine exhibit—it’s a tribute to Lambrusco, one of Italy’s most storied and misunderstood wines. According to Langone, Lambrusco may even come from “the most ancient Italian grape variety,” possibly the only truly autochthonous one.

For wine lovers and professionals looking to understand Lambrusco beyond the glass, the Chiarli Gallery offers rare context and cultural weight. It's a testament to tradition, innovation, and the resilience of a wine that continues to evolve.

Until a national museum arrives, let this be your starting point: the effervescent Emilia, seen through the lens of Lambrusco’s first family.

Discover our new Galleria Chiarli tasting: a journey through time and wine.