onnici is produced in a large winemaking area that extends from the western slopes of the Sila Mountains to the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Output is concentrated in the valley of the Crati, which extends toward the north, and in that of the Savuto, which extends toward the south. However, the Crati district is the more important of the two.Such red-grape varieties as Gaglioppo and Greco Nero are cultivated in the valley of the Crati. Among the white-grape breeds, the Montonico and Malvasia are the most important, along with the recently introduced Pecorello.
The production area includes the territories of various communes in the province of Cosenza. The provincial capital is surrounded by the ridges of the Sila and the slopes of the Mountains of Paola. The valley of the Crati represents the sole outlet of the basin created by the mountains that it occupies. That strategic position without doubt accounted for the decision of the Confederation of the Bretti to make the site its capital. The Bretti were a proud and courageous mountain people, who never completely accepted the domination of outsiders.
The wine produced in the area has a medium body and ranges in color from ruby to cherry red. The vineyards are located at altitudes varying from 300 to 600 meters above sea level.
