On the afternoon of Sunday 4 January, at the age of 92, Arnaldo Caprai , a central figure in Umbrian and national entrepreneurship, passed away. He was left by his loved ones – his wife Fiorella, his children Arianna, Marco and Luca, and his beloved grandchildren.
From textiles to wine, from lace to Sagrantino: Caprai has embodied the excellence of Made in Italy for seventy years , building a unique bridge between artisan tradition and innovation that has brought the name of Umbria to the world.
Arnaldo Caprai embodies the epitome of an enlightened entrepreneur, capable of transferring the expertise of a mature sector, such as textiles, to a still untapped agricultural landscape. His winemaking journey began in 1971 with the purchase of the Tenuta Val di Maggio estate in Montefalco: 42 hectares, four of which were already planted with vines. This move was driven not by simple passion, but by a clear market intuition. Where others saw a minor, indigenous grape variety confined to local tradition, Caprai saw the potential for global excellence.
“Our father bought the first part of this farm with the idea of producing Sagrantino because that was the wine that still made the difference in the renown of this area,” his children say.
His approach to the world of wine was revolutionary for several reasons: he applied to wine the innovative culture of efficiency and quality typical of his textile supply chain (already a leader with the Cruciani brand); he focused on the continuous pursuit of excellence, transforming artisanal production into an elite industrial model, valorizing Sagrantino as an asset that defines the Umbrian region’s identity; through a global vision of the markets, he built an international brand, leading the company to produce approximately one million bottles, distributed worldwide.
As an entrepreneur, Caprai sought not only profit, but also the creation of truly local value. His leadership elevated Montefalco to a prestigious wine district, demonstrating that the competitiveness of Made in Italy lies in the ability to modernize its roots without betraying them. His success was recognized not only by the markets, but also by institutions: in 2003, President Ciampi named him Cavaliere del Lavoro for merit in Agriculture , a testament to a career that successfully combined economic development and social responsibility.
Under his leadership, the Arnaldo Caprai winery has become a case study in territorial marketing, where wine acts as an ambassador for an entire cultural ecosystem. His legacy is that of a “land manager” who taught how methodological rigor and foresight can transform a forgotten grape variety into one of the symbols of global winemaking.
«Our father was an optimist and a generous man – his children say – and he leaves us the lesson of always looking forward, of believing in business and development. His was a great entrepreneurial vision, first in textiles, then in wine. A man who always believed in achieving great things, with a vision open to the future and a deep commitment to society. He was 92 years old, and until the end he taught us all that the future is built with passion and faith.
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The WineReporter editorial staff extends its heartfelt condolences to Arnaldo Caprai’s family, especially his son Marco, who continued his father’s career in the winemaking industry.