Col d'Orcia

Col d'Orcia is, first of all, one of the founding wineries of Brunello di Montalcino. The purchase of the first estate dates back to 1890, when the Franceschi family, of Florentine origin, established its land in the area, then called Fattoria Sant’Angelo in Colle. After the presentation of the first Brunellos in 1933, the Fattoria was split into two separate estates, Il Poggione, still active, and, indeed, Col d’Orcia. And, in 1973, with the change of ownership to the Cinzanos, from Piedmont, the commercial network of Col d’Orcia the long tradition with international success was consolidated and crowned.

Today Col d’Orcia is the third winery by size in Montalcino, with about 150 hectares of vineyards, and the first in Tuscany for hectares with organic management. Which is big, but which must not, however, make us forget the territorial and traditional roots of the company "from the Hill overlooking Orcia". The vineyards are located on average 450 metres above sea level, on the southern slope of the appellation, on soil which is loose, calcareous and rich in skeleton, perfectly exposed at midday. After careful selection in the vineyard, what follows is precise and controlled vinification, and then traditional ageing, when required, in large oak barrels, which dictate the style of this family. Experimentation, however, is now all-encompassing, with splendid international cuts and some charming whites for class, style and drinkability.

The Brunello "vintage" of Col d’Orcia, certified organic, is already top class. Three years in large barrels and one in the bottle are the calling card of a champion of austerity and richness, which however knows how to amaze with dynamism and snap. Solemn and majestic, Poggio al Vento is the most prestigious Brunello Reserve, produced only in the best vintages and with the best performing cru. A touch of small wood, instead, grants Nastagio, second Brunello cru, more roundness and muscularity, without betraying the fabric of Sangiovese. The splendid and wine for every day Rosso di Montalcino, now joined by a cru, Banditella, is more youthful and agile, and has the longevity of a Brunello and the dynamism of a Rosso. The ingredients for whites of great style and for all tastes are all present in the Col d’Orcia range. There is the Chardonnay aged in wood, Ghiaie Bianche, full-bodied and thin at the same time, of infinite aromaticity. A young and fresh fruity Pinot Grigio, gentle and elegant, exceptional for summer lunches but not only. Along the same lines, but with greater sapidity, is a splendid Vermentino. And then the traditional Montalcino wine, celebrated since the Renaissance, long before the Brunello phenomenon exploded. It is a late harvest Moscato, deliciously sweet but with a marked freshness: Pascena. The international cuts of Col d’Orcia are based on the perfect balance between austerity and roundness, with marked fragrances combined with the natural sumptuousness provided by the Montalcino terroir. The result is Nearco, from Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah aged 18 months in barrique, and Olmaia, a pure Cabernet Sauvignon, robust, fleshy, sensual and unforgettable. Young and fruity, but "top class", the local interpretations of Sangiovese, with the Spezieri, a daily wine in a blend with Ciliegiolo, and Chianti Gineprone, Montalcino's version of the most famous Tuscan denomination.