 |
|
|
|
The
estate is located on the southern slope of the Montalcino territory,
on hilly lands and extends over 540 hectares, from the Orcia river
to the village of Sant’Angelo in Colle, at about 450 metres’
high. Its position is extremely favourable as it faces south directly,
and it is also protected by the barrier of Mount Amiata (1.750
metres) against meteorological events such as floods or hail,
and to the mild climate coming from the Tyrrhenian coast, in the
west, where the sea is some 35 km away. The nature of the soil
is undoubtedly favourable to grape growing, with fundamentally
loose grounds, poor in clay and rich in limestone and inert materials.
The area is not affected by fog, ice or late frost, whereas the
frequent breezes guarantee the best conditions for the vine health
conditions. Its climate is typically Mediterranean, with limited
rainfalls concentrated in the months of March, April, November
and December. The high number of sunny days throughout the whole
vegetative season ensures a gradual and complete grape ripening.
The vineyards facing south and the particular nature of the soil
convey notes of structure and elegance to the Brunello produced
on this side of Montalcino.
|
 |
|
Montalcino
is a small town about 40 km from Siena and it is situated at the
top of a hill, 600 m above sea level. The municipal territory has
a quadrilateral form, bounded by the rivers Ombrone, Asso, and Orcia
and extends for more than 24,000 hectares. About half of the territory
is covered by woods, while the cultivated land is generally used
for vineyards, olive groves and cereals.
The first inhabitants go back to about the year one thousand. Montalcino
has a past rich with history and pride and in the centuries was
stage for many battles and sieges. The name Montalcino derives from
the Latin ‘ Mons Ilcinus’ that is ‘mountains of the
holm-oaks’, a particular species of tree widespread in the
woods of the area and also represented in the ancient municipal
coat of arms.
Today Montalcino is a small architectural gem set in a landscape
of rare beauty in which an unsuccessful industrial development attempt
has left it uncontaminated. The principle riches are: agriculture,
particularly in grape growing, the production and sales of Brunello
and Rosso di Montalcino, honey and, recently, tourism.
|
|
