Wines in Tuscany

Montecucco wine region, view from Cinigiano on Castello Banfi and the Val d'Orcia
     
   

Wines in Tuscany | From Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Montecucco D.O.C.
 
   

Italy is one of the largest producers of wines. Its climate, soil and very old traditions make Italy a natural wine growing nation. The wines are as personal as a name, as different as the colors of the rainbow and as much a part of Italian life as almost 3,000 years of tradition can make them. The Etruscans of North-Central Italy, who created one of the peninsula's earliest civilizations, left evidence of how to make wine. The Greeks who soon after established themselves in the South gave Italy the name Enotria (the land of wine). Tuscany (Toscana) is known mainly for Chianti, while Tuscany's wine of greatest stature is Brunello di Montalcino.
The fame of the excellent wines that began as Italian home-grown versions of Bordeaux has spread throughout the world of wine connoisseurs, but until recently the region itself was ignored by most visitors to Tuscany. Now though, more and more oenophiles are diverting to come to the pretty hills by the Mediterranean to discover the Maremma's secrets for themselves.
The whole of Southern Tuscany is crisscrossed with wine routes. You can visit the various cellars sampling the dark, rich wine produced by the region's grapes, but furthermore the routes take you through some of the most outstanding areas of southern Tuscany.
 
   
   
 
 
Montecucco D.O.C.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
The Maremma is extremely different than Northern Tuscany. While the north boasts such spectacular cities as Florence, Siena and Lucca, the region also received hoards of tourists and can be uncomfortably crowded in high season, indeed even in low season. Wine regions in Northern Tuscany, such as Chianti Classico, have extremely well developed wine tourism and most cellars open to the general public. The Maremma, on the other hand, is far more exclusive. Few cellars open to the "general public" and the region is noticeably less touristy. This is why the Maremma, for serious wine lovers is such an attractive region to visit. Towns like Castiglione della Pescaia (with its charming fishing port and castle), Pitigliano (an amazing village completely carved out of the rocky outcrop below, an ancient Jewish village) and Massa Maritima (with its quaint cobblestoned, Medieval streets) are all fabulous little gems- they are virtually free of the crowds.Maremma is an extremely interesting sub region of Tuscany for food and wine lovers to visit. Although for centuries it was considered unfit for vineyards, in the past few decades this coastal area has become one of the most ultra exclusive wine producing regions of Italy. Therefore DOC Montecucco is one of the most promissing designation in Italy. (DOC : Denominazione di Origine Controllata – Trade name guaranteeing quality of wine. It was established in 1998 as an instrument of valorization and control which guarantees the consumer with the highest standards which characterizes Montecucco wines.

The principal wine villages in the Maremma are Bolgheri, Castagneto Carducci, Scansano, Cinigiano and Suvereto. Grapes used in Maremma wines include Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Vermentino, Cabernet Franc, Alicante and Aleatico.

DOC Montecucco is located in Southern Tuscany in the Maremma region which is particularly adapted to the elaboration of fine wines. Indeed DOC Montecucco borders such prestigious designation as Brunello di Montalcino, Morellino di Scansano, S. Antimo and Monteregio di Massa Marittima.

DOC Montecucco allows 5 different types of wines:

Montecucco Rosso: based on a minimum of 60% of Sangiovese it allows for a great freedom in terms of assembly with other vines. Rich and harmonious flavors characterize the Montecucco Rosso wine.

Montecucco Sangiovese: as indicated by its name, this wine is largely made from the reputed Tuscan vine Sangiovese, also known as Brunello in Montalcino. The Montecucco Sangiovese should be composed of at least 85% Sangiovese and is often found “in purezza” (100%). Distinctive and imposing this wine may be savoured “young”, but it will be best appreciated after a few years and will reach its full potential after 10 to 20 years.

Both these wine may also be found as Montecucco Riserva provided they have aged for two years of which at least 18 months in Oak barrels.

These three types of red wine along with two white wines, the Montecucco Bianco and the Montecucco Vermentino, make up the whole of the DOC Monteccuco designation.
  
   

 

  


Castello Colle Massari, view from Podere Santa Pia

 
The acknowledgment of the Designation of Origin to the Montecucco wine dates back to 1998 but the efforts by the producers, who had many years before understood the potentialities of the territory, began long ago. Unfortunately bureaucracy is often slower then the things it protects, so these wines have only recently been acknowledged RDO, even if good quality wines have already been produced for a long time. In facto before 1998 the wine producers, not many but very dedicated, gazed at these perfect hills with attention. The wines already belonging to the old Geographic denomination Montecucco - typologies: red, rose, white were already of good quality and did not make a poor impression next to the other Tuscan RDOs.
The road to the achievement of the Registered Designation of Origin has been hard but necessary to censure the oenological dignity already acquired by the producers.

The typologies expected by the regulations faithfully portray the situation existing before the acknowledgment, with the Sangiovese wine in a prominent position concerning the red and other improving vineyards to follow, while as regards the whites next to the traditional Trebbiano there is the promising Vermentino, vinified in almost complete purity.
The DOC regulations are in exact accordance with the situation pre-existent to the DOC recognition.

* BIANCO (white wine) Grape variety: Trebbiano (minimum 60%) and others
* VERMENTINO (white wine) Grape variety: Vermentino (min. 85%)
* ROSSO (red wine) Grape variety: Sangiovese (min. 60%) and others; bottle ageing min. 6 months; min. alc. level 12%
* ROSSO RISERVA bottle ageing min. 24 months; min. alc.level 12,5%
* SANGIOVESE (red wine) Grape variety: Sangiovese (min. 85%); bottle ageing min. 6 months; min. alc. level 12%
* SANGIOVESE RISERVA bottle ageing min. 24 months; min. alc. level 12,5%

 

  
    Roses in the Vineyard

In the Montecucco area, you'll frequently see roses planted along the edge of vineyards. Traditionally they've served as an early warning system to protect the grapevines — the equivalent of a miner's canary.
Roses also warn of other diseases and growing problems before they affect the grapevines, and they serve as a habitat for some beneficial insects that eat other undesirable insects.

And they're beautiful.

  
 

 

Strada del Vino di Montecucco - Toscana

  
 

The Montecucco Wine Trail runs through a vast area situated on the slopes of Mount Amiata, which has its centre at Cinigiano, lying between the Maremma region and Amiata. The seven Comuni which produce the Montecucco DOC wine are all to be found in the Province of Grosseto, in South Tuscany, and are, besides Cinigiano: Civitella Paganico, Campagnatico, Castel del Piano, Arcidosso, Seggiano and Roccalbegna.
The Montecucco wine trail (La Strada del Vino Montecucco) consists of a main roadway with five turn-offs. It can also be found on the official site of Strada del Vino Montecucco - Montecucco Wine Trail.

This little-known area strikes the visitor as a kind of enchanted garden, with endless discoveries to be made - a different Tuscany, the real one, in which tradition and innovation are combined. It is an unspoilt landscape whose natural dignity and resources have been respected, especially in more recent wine-growing. Apart from Montecucco DOC and Maremma Toscana IGT wines, the area also produces olive oil (IGP Toscano - Seggiano is particularly worth a mention), chestnuts, which are shortly to receive IGP recognition Mount Amiata Chestnut), mushrooms, notably the ceps and ovolo species, and excellent honey. The Trail is arranged in one main itinerary and five mini-itineraries which wind through the most beautiful and interesting parts of the area from the viticultural, historic, cultural and environmental point of view. The following towns are touched upon: Paganico, Sasso d'Ombrone, Poggi del,Sasso, Montecucco, Cinigiano, Porrona, Montenero, Montegiovi, Montelaterone, Castel del Piano and Seggiano.

  
 
 
 

 

  


Castel Porrona, a charming medieval village dating back to the 11th century, between Cinigiano and Castiglioncello Bandini and Podere Santa Pia

 

Paganico - Sasso d'Ombrone - Poggi del Sasso - Montecucco - Cinigiano - Porrona - Montenero - Montegiovi - Montelaterone - Castel del Piano - Seggiano.

The itinerary passes through the most important Montecucco DOC wine-growing zones. Setting off from Paganico, a lively, modern town with an interesting four-gated wall dating from the fourth century, we reach the Monteverdi farm and then on to Sasso d'Ombrone, with its imposing bridge and medieval gate. We then climb up to Poggi del Sasso, a little rural town and centre of Montecucco wine production. This area is abundant in vineyards, cellars and wineries, but is also noteworthy for the beautiful castles at Vicarello and Colle Massari. A few kilometers from Poggi del Sasso is the Montecucco Farm which has lent its name to the eponymous DOC wine. This area, in front of Mount Amiata, is the heart of wine-growing activities. Numerous holiday farmhouses, traditional trattorie, and extensive wildlife make this area very rewarding from the hunting and culinary point of view. Nearby is the Porrona Castle, a stunning village whose image has been borrowed to promote DOC Montecucco wine. Montenero is the other DOC Montecucco "capital",and it houses the Museum of Wine and Vine. There are many cellars where wine, oil and other local products may be savoured.

During the summer in a park in Montenero an open-air wine bar is set up for the tasting of Montecucco wine. Also here one may visit the seventeenth century well and the town wall gate. Leaving Monyenero and proceeding towards Mount Amiata we arrive in the Montegiovi area - a veritable museum of viticulture, with its little groves of mixed olives and patches of vines. In fact a real vine museum is planned for the conservation of germoplasm and particularly autochthonous species of grapevine. Also to be admired is the centre of Montegiovi, where on the last Sunday of September a country fair, devoted to Bruschetta, is held. Montelaterone is the last village before Castel del Piano - the incredibly well-preserved centre is worth a visit

Then Castel del Piano itself: it is one of the most important towns of Mount Amiata, and the visitor should seek out Palazzo Nericci, which is soon to be a museum dedicated to peasant culture, the Castiglionese Gate, Corso Nasini, the Monaci, Cantucci, Bruni, Alluigi and Cerboni Palaces, the Teatrino and the Loggia della Mercanzia. The trail finishes up in Seggiano, or rather a little further on - another area given over to vine and olive-growing. Here the Logge del Mercato and the historically important centre, with its cellars carved out of rocks, are worth seeing, as are the charming Potentino Castle and Daniel Spoerri's unusual "Garden of Art". One should also visit the Olivastra Seggianese olive-pressing works where the only single-variety Tuscan oil, denominated "Seggiano", is produced from the locally cultivated Amiata olive. The annual Oil Festival is held on the first Sunday of December.

 
 
 


Castello di Casenovole in between Civitella Paganico, Pari and Monte Antico

 
Monte Antico - Casenovole - Casal di Pari - Bagno di Petriolo

This trail is particularly rich in history, as the Castles of Monte Antico and Casenovole testify. We wind along a route not far from the River Ombrone, in an area once famous for wine-growing and which is today regaining it old splendor and vocation. The little towns of Pari and Casal di Pari, veritable rural gems, are a must, as is the charming spa of Petriolo, set in the Nature Reserve of Basso Merse.
 
 
 
 
Paganico - Civitella Marittima

After Paganico, famous for its Frog(-eating) Festival on the first Sunday of every September, we reach Civitella Marittima, a friendly, hospitable town that acts as centre for this trail, adjacent as it is to the DOC Monteregio di Massa Marittima wine-growing zone. The stupendous Ardengesca Abbey, an ancient monastic complex situated on the so-called "Salt Road", begs to be seen.
 
 
 
 
Campagnatico - Cinigiano

Campagnatico is the starting point for this trail - this important Maremma town was even mentioned by Dante. The Civic Theatre, the Aldobrandesca Rock and the Pretorio Palace should all be seen. Views of olive groves and vineyards are splendid along this route, against the delightful backdrop of the Maremma plain. The unusual Palio dei Ciuchi (donkey race) is held every September.
 
 
 

 
Castiglioncello Baldini - Stribugliano - Cana

This delightful trail is centred on Castiglioncello Baldini, which is dominated by a splendid castle - the castle's cellars, currently undergoing restoration, are worth a visit. The trail touches on the Poggio all'Olmo and Monte Labbro Nature Reserves. Then we reach the town of Stribugliano, which is part of the Comune of Arcidosso, and which gives the impression of a huge terrace with its breathtaking view. Cana, a village of Etruscan origin in the Comune of Roccalbegna is a DOC Montecucco zone. On the third Sunday of every October is held a festival dedicated to the Chestnut. The seventeenth century Medici Cistern should be seen.
 
 
 
 
Sasso d'Ombrone - Cingiano - Monticello d'Amiata

This route through the Cinigiano area follows the old mountain road linking the plain with Mount Amiata, and thus linking corn with chestnuts. However, also the grape is ubiquitous here. Sasso d'Ombrone, originally Sasso di Maremma, is a little village on the River Ombrone, in which an unusual festival is held on the third Sunday of every September - the Festival of the Eel ! Ponticello Amiata is a well-preserved, historically interesting town with a delightful ethnographic "house-museum". Here the chestnut is king, and a festival is held in its honour onthe second sunday of every October.

 
   
   
 
   
 
   

Member companies of the DOC Montecucco

 
   
 
   

AZIENDA AGRICOLA AGRITURISMO ASSOLATI | Loc. Pod. Assolati, 58040 - Montenero
Ref. Loriano Giannetti e Daniela Sani |Tel./Fax 0564 954146 Cell. 338 2253951 |silviagiannetti@tiscali.it

  
   
 
   
AGRITURISMO LA BANDITACCIA | Podere la Banditaccia, 58047 Monticello Amiata
Ref. Claudio Bechini | Cell. 347 4167275 - Cell. 347 4230889 | www.banditaccia.com |info@banditaccia.com
  
   
 
   

AZIENDA AGRICOLA BASILE | Podere Montemario, 58044 Cinigiano
Ref. Giovan Battista Basil | Tel. fax 0564 993227 Cell. 335 5882149 | www.vinicolabasile.it | info@vinicolabasile.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. BEGNARDI - SAPORI DI MONTEANTICO | Podere Camporosso, 34 58030 Monteantico
Ref. Michele e Luca Begnardi | Tel. Fax. 0564/991030 Cell. 3332013670 | begnardi.lm@libero.it

  
   
 
   
AZ. AGR. CAMPINUOVI | Podere Campinuovi, 58044 Cinigiano
Ref. Nadia Riguccini | Cell. 349 8588147
  
   
 
   
AZ. AGR. CAPANNE RICCI | Loc. Capanne Ricci, 58044 Cingiano
Ref. Ferruccio Ricci | Tel.-Fax 0564 902063 | capanne_ricci@virgilio.it
  
   
 
   

AZIENDA AGRICOLA CASA VACANZE CASALE POZZUOLO | Pod. Pozzuolo Borgo S. Rita 58044 Cinigiano
Ref. Galluzzi Daniele | Tel/Fax. 0564/902019 Cell. 3356252517 328419758 | e-mail info@casalepozzuolo.it | www.casalepozzuolo.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. AGRITURISMO LE CALLE | Loc. La Cava , 58040 Poggi del Sasso
Ref. Riccardo Catocci | Tel/fax 0564 990472 Tel. 0564 990432 Cell. 348 9307565; Savina cell. 3473321201 |www.le-calle.it | e-mail lecalle@tiscali.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. LE CAPANNACCE | Le Capannacce, Casal di Pari
Ref. Alberto Porta | Tel. 0564/908848 Fax. 0564/908710

  
   
 
   
AZ. AGRICOLA AGRITURISMO CIVETTAIO | Loc. Podere Civettaio, 58045 Civitella Paganico
Ref. Gregorio Dell'Adami de Tarczal | Cell. 348/7029229 | www.ilcivettaio.it | e-mail civettaio@civettaio.it
  
   
 


Azienda Colle Massari, cantina

 

AZ. AGR. COLLE MASSARI S.P.A. | Poggi del Sasso, 58044 Cinigiano
Tel. 0564 990496 Fax. 0564 990498 | e-mail info@collemassari.it | www.collemassari.it

  
 
Colle Massari, owned by sister and brother, Maria Iris Bertarelli and Claudio Tipa, comprises two estates in Tuscany: Castello ColleMassari, bought in 1999 and Grattamacco, taken over in 2002. ColleMassari was established in 1998 and is part of the Montecucco DOC in Alta Maremma, among the Docg Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Morellino di Scansano DOC; conditions are ideal for growing sangiovese. The year 2000 saw the first vintage.
Grattamacco, established in the late 1970s and part of the Bolgheri DOC, promptly caught the interest of the market for this new cradle of Cabernet Sauvignon in Italy. The first vintage was produced in 1978 from a cut of Cabernet Sauvignon with Sangiovese and Merlot.

The main wines produced are ColleMassari and Rigoleto in the Montecucco DOC and Grattamacco and Bolgheri in the Bolgheri DOC; all very prestigious wines.

  
 

AZ. AGR. FUSI ORIO E IRIO | Podere Santa Chiara, 58040 Montenero
Fax. 0564 954083 Tel. 0564 954201 Cell. 333 3773822

  
 
 
 

AZ. AGR. IL GALLETTO | Loc. Santa Rita, 58044 Cinigiano
Ref. Renato Savelli | Tel.-Fax 0564 902072 Cell. 328 1121007

  
   
 
   
AZ. AGR. LANZINI E SACCHI | Loc. Fabiani, 58040 Montenero
Ref. Marcello Lanzini |Tel.- Fax 0564 954084 Cell. 335 6574345 | Cell. 333 5257890 | e-mail letiziasacchi@virgilio.it | nero.di.bosco@virgilio.it
  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. FATTORIA LA LECCIAIA di pacini mauro | Loc. Poggio Giannino, 58042 Campagnatico
Ref. Pacini Mauro | Tel. 0583 928366 Fax 0583 927295 | e-mail lecciaia@pacinimauro.com

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. FRANCO MASCELLONI | Loc. Fabiani, 58040 Montenero
Ref. Franco Mascelloni | Tel. - Fax 0564 954039 Cell. 347 8548341 | www.aziendamarinelli.it | e-mail aziendamarinelli@libero.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. NICCOLÒ MASCELLONI | Podere Coniella, 58040, Montenero
Ref. Niccolò Mascelloni |Tel./Fax 0564 954107 | e-mail coniella@tiscalinet.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. FABIO MONACI GABRIELLA LANZINI | Pod. Vignacci,22 58033 Castel del Piano
Ref. Fabio Monaci | Tel. - Fax 0564 954039 Cell. 347 8548341

  
   
 
   
AZ. AGR. MONTEANTICO | Loc. Monteantico Pod. 216, 58045 Civitella Paganico
Ref. Cesare Borri |Tel/fax. 0564/991013 | e-mail info@monteantico.it
  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. MONTEBENDICO | Via Vittorio Veneteo Castel del Piano
Ref. Toninelli Simone | Tel/fax. 0564/973223 - Cell. 3396902444 | www.agricolamontebendico.it | montebendico@hotmail.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. STENTI | Via Traversa 12, 2 Loc. Stenti 58033 Montenero (GR)
Ref. Pieri Carlo | Tel. 0564/954171 - Cel. 3488907146 | www.poggiostenti.it | info@poggiostenti@it

  
   
 
   

TENUTA DI MONTECUCCO | AGRITURISMO MONTECUCCO | Loc. Montecucco 13, 58040, Sasso d'Ombrone
Ref. Stefano Alessandri | tel/fax. 0564/973223 - Cell. 3396902444 | www.tenutadimontecucco.it | info@tenutadimontecucco.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. ORCIAVERDE | Podere Ente Maremma 369, 58040 Montenero
Ref. Simone Governi, Emanuela Mezzani | Tel./Fax 0564 954112 Cell. 347 1072895 - 328 2060957 | e-mail info@orciaverde.it | www.orciaverde.it

  
   
 
   
AZ. AGR. PARMOLETO | Podere Parmoletone, 58040 Montenero | www.parmoleto.it
Ref. Duilio Sodi | Tel./Fax 0564 954131 - Cell. 338 8906876 | duiliosodi@libero.it
  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. DARIO PASQUI AGRICOLTORE | Podere Montesalario, 58040 Montenero
Ref. Dario Pasqui | Tel./Fax 0564 954125 - Cell. 340 3459203 | trottolowine@libero.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGRARIA PERAZZETA | Via dell'Aia, 14, 58040 Montenero
Ref. Alessandro Bocci | Tel./Fax 0564 954158 Cell. 380 3545477 |www.perazzeta.it |e-mail: info@perazzeta.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGRICOLA E AGRITURISMO PETEGLIA | Podere Peteglia, 58033 Montenero d'Orcia
Ref. Marco Innocenti | Tel-fax 0564 954108 | Cell: 349 8335438 - 393 8819705 |www.peteglia.com |e-mail: info@peteglia.com

  
   
 
   
AZ. AGR. PIANDIBUGNANO | Loc. Pian di Bugnano Seggiano
Ref. Giorgio Bucelli |tel/fax. 0564/950773 | Cell. 335374291 Sig. Paolo - 3356398819 Sig. Carlo | www.piandibugnano.com | e-mail info@piandibugnano.com
  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. PODERE IL CASINO | Loc. Podere il Casino 58038 Seggiano
Ref. Anders Gautschi | Tel 0564 950473 Cell. 339 6493576 | www.podereilcasino.net | e-mail: info@podereilcasino.net

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. PODERE POGGIO AL GELLO | Pod. Poggio al Gello, Loc. Il Gello, 58048 Paganico
Ref. Alda Chiarini | Tel. 0564 906025 Cell. 335 376383 | www.poggioalgello.it | e-mail pod.poggioalgello@alice.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. LA PODERINA TOSCANA | Loc. Poderina 58030 Montegiovi
Ref. Davide Borsell | Tel/Fax. 0564/956546 | www.lapoderinatoscana.com | e-mail info@lapoderinatoscana.co

  
   
 
   
AZ. AGR. POGGIO LEONE | Podere Coniella - 58033, Montenero
Ref. Dario Mascelloni | Tel. 0564 954072 Fax 0564 954203 | Cell 328 2186156 | www.poggioleone.it |e-mail info@poggioleone.it
  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. POGGIO SACCONE | Loc. Canali, 51, 58031 Arcidosso
Ref. Rossella Piccionetti | Tel/Fax. 0564 967401 Cell. 339 6789256 | e-mail poggiosaccone@tiscali.it

  
   
 


Castello di Potentino, close to Podere Santa Pia

  

AZ. AGR. POTENTINO S.R.L. | Castello di Potentino, 58038 Seggiano
Ref. Charlotte Mary Horton |Tel/Fax. 0564 950014 | e-mail castellodipotentino@virgilio.it

  
 
 
 

AZ. AGR. LE QUERCIOLE | Podere Querciole, 58040 Montenero d'Orcia
Ref. Conti Elisa | Tel 0564/ 451607 | e-mail lequerciole@virgilio.it

  
 
 
 
AZ. AGR. RABAGLI GIANNI | Pod. S. Margherita 58040 Cinigiano
Ref. Gianni Rabagli | Tel./fax. 0564990735 Cell. 3357316150
  
 
 
 

AZ. AGR. FRATELLI RONGO | AGRITURISMO POGGIO AL NINFALE | Loc. Montecucco Podere Sant'Agostino, 58044 Poggi del Sasso
Ref. Raffele Rongo | Tel. 0564/994644 fax. 0564/99496 | www.fratellirongo.it | e-mail info@fratellirongo.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. SALUSTRI | AGRITURISMO IL MANDORLO | Loc. La Cava 7, 58040 Poggi del Sasso
Ref. Marco Salustri | Tel./Fax 0564 990418 | Tel.-Fax 0564 990529 | Cell. 335 35773 | www.salustri.it | e-mail info@salustri.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. SANTO STEFANO | Via G. Brodolini n.18, 58040 Montenero
Ref. Paolo Bianchini | Tel. 0577 835616 Fax 0577 835785 | www.ciaccipiccolomini.com | e-mail paolo@ciaccipiccolomini.com

  
   
 
   
AZ. AGR. LIBERTARIO SAVELLI E CESIRA ROSSI | Pod. S. Roberto- Montenero 58040 Castel del Piano
Ref. Libertario Savelli | Tel. 0564/954147
  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. FRATELLI RONGO | AGRITURISMO POGGIO AL NINFALE | Loc. Montecucco Podere Sant'Agostino, 58044 Poggi del Sasso
Ref. Raffele Rongo | Tel. 0564/994644 fax. 0564/99496 | www.fratellirongo.it | e-mail info@fratellirongo.it

  
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. LA SCHIACCIONAIA | Via della Fontanella 1/3, 58031 | Loc. Bagnoli, Arcidosso
Ref. Marcella Turziani | Tel./Fax 0564 967202 Cell. 335 8303241 | e-mail info@schiaccionaia.it | www.schiaccionaia.it |

 
   
 
   

AZ. AGR.TIBERI MIRENO | Loc. Serripori 12/b 58040 Montenero d'Orcia
Ref. Tiberi Mireno | Tel. 0564/954085 Fax. 0564/954456 | Cell. 335813646

 
   
 
   

AZ. AGR. VEGNI, MEDAGLINI, GIANNETTI | Loc. Porrona Podere Poggio Paolo, 58044 Cinigiano
Ref. Marcello Vegni | Tel. 0564 993507 | Tel. 0564 993371 Fax 0564 993263 | Cell. Marcello Vegni 349 2839150 | e-mail rosive6791@tiscali.it | e-mail info@vegnimedaglini.it | www.vegnimedaglini.it

  
   
 
   
AZ. AGR. LE VIGNE | 58040 Montenero
Ref. Andrea Pettini | Tel./Fax 0564 954116 Cell. 328 9710663 | e-mail info@aziendalevigne.com | www.aziendalevigne.com
 
   
 
   


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Super Tuscans | Sassicaia, Ornellaia

 
   
 
   
There were vineyards in the hills, but Maremma only really became famous in the modern era since the first production of Sassicaia in the 1970's. Most winelovers are probably far more familiar with the word Supertuscan than the region where these modern classics are produced, the Maremma region of Tuscany.
Sassicaia, Ornellaia - these mythical wines are known as "Super Tuscans" and they come from the beautiful coastal Maremma region, located in Southern Tuscany. "Super Tuscan" is a term that was coined to refer to these great wines, which for years bore the term "Vino da Tavola", table wine (despite also wearing 200 dollar per bottle price tags). The reason behind this anomaly was that the wine regulatory councils in Tuscany did not allow the use of "foreign" varietals, such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, in wines that they granted the DOC and DOCG quality seals. This was controversial, as some wineries had been growing these "foreign" grapes for years. Certain winemakers, confident enough in their winemaking decided to forfeit the quality seal (DOC/ DOCG) and make the wines they believed in, hoping that customers would judge their wines on the actual merit of them and not its seal. In fairly little time, wines like Sassicaia became cult wines. The man often credited with discovering the potential of the Maremma is Marchese (Marquis) Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, the founder of Sassicaia. His vision was Bordeaux style wines, blended with Tuscany's noble Sangiovese grape.
Sassicaia was created in the early 1940. From 1948 to 1960 the wine was only produced for private consumption. Then, in 1968 the first vintage was presented to the market. The 1994 vintage was the first vintage ever to receive its own Denominazione di Origine Controllata from the Italian National Committee on Wines. This was the first time ever D.O.C. status had been granted to a single property. Currently, the winery is run by Mario's son, Nicolo Incisa della Rocchetta.
  
   
 
   
Wineregions in Tuscany
  
   

 

Map of Tuscan DOCG and DOC Area
An interactive map showing Tuscany's wine-growing areas.

  
   
 
   
DOCG Brunello di Montalcino
  
     
   
 
   
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
  
     
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Le strade del vino | Maps of different wine regions
 
   
 
   

Strada del Vino dei Colli di Candi e di Lunigiana (The wine road of the Candi and Lunigiana hills)

This is the most northern wine road in Tuscany. In north-east it borders with the Emilia Romagna and in the north-west part it borders with Liguria.

Strada del Vino Colline Lucchesi e Montecarlo (The wine road of the hills around Lucca and Montecarlo)

Strada dei Vini Chianti Rùfina e Pomino

Strada Medicea dei Vini di Carmignano

Strada del Vino delle Colline Pisane

Strada del Vino Chianti Colli Fiorentini

Strada del Vino di Montespertoli
Montespertoli is situated 30 km southwest of Firenze.


Strada del Vino Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Consorzio della Denominazione San Gimignano
Piazza Duomo, 1 53037 San Gimignano (SI)
Tel. 0577/940008

Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Strada del Vino Orcia
Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo

Strada del Vino Costa degli Etruschi

Strada del Vino Monteregio di Massa Marittima
Monteregio di Massa Marittima D.O.C. covers the entire territories of Massa Marittima and Monterotondo Marittimo and parts of Roccastrada, Gavorrano, Castiglione della Pescaia, Scarlino and Follonica.
Nine different varieties of wines are produced under this appellation. Special attention is due to Vermentino, a white wine of distinctive character, and to two types of Vin Santo, one white and one red. The red Vin Santo is also known as Occhio di Pernice.
The grapes permitted are Sangiovese, Trebbiano Toscano, Vermentino, Malvasia bianca di Candia, Ansonica.
The most famous producers are Suveraia, Serraiola Lenzi, Montebelli and Moris Farms, producer of Monteregio di Massa Marittima and the famous Avvoltore.

Strada del Vino Orcia

Two of Tuscany's D.O.C.G. wines - Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - are separated by a strip of land where the River Orcia flows. Here the vineyards are not interrupted nor are the grapevines or winegrowing techniques modified. Crushed by the fame of the noble wines produced in neighboring areas, the vintners here decided, after years of neglect, to improve their methods of cultivation and vinification in order to assert the qualities of their wines. Their efforts have finally been crowned with a brand new appellation, Orcia D.O.C., established in March 2000, representing an ancient territorio composed of 13 communes southwest of Siena, among which the legendary Montalcino. [read more]

Strada del Vino Montecucco

Strada dei Vini Colli di Maremma
The Wine and Flavour Trail of the Maremma Hills (La Strada del Vino e dei Sapori Colli di Maremma) is in the north east of the Province of Grosseto. It is not only one of the major Trails in Italy but also the one that offers the greatest choice and potential from the sea to the hills and to the slopes of Mount Amiata.
The jewel in the crown is the DOC wine, from the renowned Morellino di Scansano to the Bianco di Pitigliano, from the Parrina to the Sovana and from the Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario to the Capalbio.

Strada dell'Olio e del Vino del Montalbano Le Colline di Leonardo

In general, Tuscany has 6 D.O.C.G.wines:

* Brunello di Montalcino (Rosso as normale and Riserva) produced in the province of Siena
* Carmignano (Rosso as normale and Riserva) produced in the provinces of Firenze and Prato
* Chianti (Rosso as normale and Riserva) produced in the provinces of Arezzo, Firenze, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato and Siena; with the option to indicate one of the sub-regions
o Classico as normale and Riserva produced in the provinces of Firenze and Siena [1]
o Colli Aretini as normale and Riserva produced in the province of Arezzo
o Colli Senesi as normale and Riserva produced in the province of Siena
o Colli Fiorentini as normale and Riserva produced in the province of Firenze
o Colline Pisane as normale and Riserva produced in the province of Pisa
o Montalbano as normale and Riserva produced in the provinces of Firenze, Pistoia and Prato
o Montespertoli as normale and Riserva produced in the province of Pisa
o Rufina as normale and Riserva produced in the province of Firenze
o Superiore produced throughout the Chianti region with the exception of the classico sub-region.
* Vernaccia di San Gimignano (Bianco as normale and Riserva) produced in the province of Siena
* Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Rosso as normal and Riserva) produced in the province of Siena
* Morellino di Scansano (Rosso as normale and Riserva) produced in the province of Grosseto

Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) is the Italian answer to the French AOC. DOC wines are produced in specific well-defined regions, according to specific rules designed to preserve the traditional wine-making practices of the individual regions.

Tuscan DOC wines

* Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario produced in the province of Grosseto
* Barco Reale di Carmignano or Barco Reale produced in the provinces of Firenze and Prato
* Bianco della Valdinievole produced in the province of Pistoia
* Bianco dell'Empolese produced in the provinces of Firenze and Pistoia
* Bianco di Pitigliano produced in the province of Grosseto
* Bianco Pisano di San Torpè produced in the province of Pisa
* Bianco Vergine della Valdichiana or Valdichiana produced in the provinces of Arezzo and Siena
* Bolgheri and Bolgheri Sassicaia produced in the province of Livorno
* Candia dei Colli Apuani produced in the province of Massa-Carrara
* Capalbio produced in the province of Grosseto
* Colli dell'Etruria Centrale produced in the provinces of Arezzo, Firenze, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato and Siena
* Colli di Luni (Bianco; Rosso in the specific styles normale and Riserva); with specific grape variety: Vermentino (Bianco); an inter-regional DOC produced in the provinces of Massa-Carrara (Toscana) and of La Spezia (Liguria)
* Colline Lucchesi produced in the province of Lucca
* Cortona produced in the province of Arezzo
* Elba produced in the province of Livorno
* Montecarlo produced in the province of Lucca
* Montecucco produced in the province of Grosseto
* Monteregio di Massa Marittima produced in the province of Grosseto
* Montescudaio produced in the provinces of Livorno and Pisa
* Morellino di Scansano produced in the province of Grosseto
* Moscadello di Montalcino produced in the province of Siena
* Orcia produced in the province of Siena
* Parrina produced in the province of Grosseto
* Pomino produced in the province of Firenze
* Rosso di Montalcino produced in the province of Siena
* Rosso di montepulciano produced in the province of Siena
* San Gimignano (Rosso in the specific styles normale, Riserva and Novello) produced in the province of Siena
* Sant'Antimo produced in the province of Siena
* Sovana produced in the province of Grosseto
* Val d'Arbia produced in the province of Siena
* Val di Cornia produced in the provinces of Livorno and Pisa
* Vin Santo del Chianti produced in the provinces of Arezzo, Firenze, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato and Siena
* Vin Santo del Chianti Classico produced in the provinces of Firenze and Siena
* Vin Santo di Montepulciano produced in the province of Siena

  

 
   
Podere Santa Pia is located in the heart of the Valle d'Ombrone, and one can easily reach some of the most beautiful attractions of Tuscany, such as Siena, Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano and San Quirico d'Orcia, famous for their artistic heritage, wine, olive oil production and gastronomic traditions. It is the ideal place to pass a very relaxing holiday in contemplation of nature, with the advantage of tasting the most typical dishes of Tuscan cuisine and its best wines. With the Val D'Orcia and the Crete Senese, the tuscan Valle d'Ombrone (and in particular the area between Podere Santa Pia and Montalcino) is the most evocative and sensual part of southern Tuscany.
This is the land where the DOC wines Montecucco and Brunello are produced. So, the surrounding countryside is the ideal area for an uncommon wine tour, visiting small farms producing wine and excellent extra virgin olive oil.
Not far from Cinigiano and clearly visible from Podere Santa Pia, is the famous Castle of Poggio alle Mura, also known as Villa Banfi and home to one of the most popular producers of Brunello di Montalcino D.O.C.G. wine. Set in 7100 hectares of land in the Montalcino area, Castello Banfi il Borgo is one of the most important wine producers in Tuscany.
If you want to spend an unforgettable holiday at Podere Santa Pia and visit these beautiful medieval castles and wineries, visit our special offers page or contact us.
         

Banfi, Castello di Poggio alle Mura,
view from Podere Santa Pia

Castello Colle Massari,
view from Podere Santa Pia

Castel Porrona, a charming medieval village dating back to the 11th century, between Cinigiano and Castiglioncello Bandini and Podere Santa Pia