"People who really understand about quality know that it is mainly due to personal effort and empathy, not intensive mechanisation." Laura Brunelli

Gianni Brunelli opened an old osteria in the old town of Siena after years of working in a factory. It turned out that the daring career change was just the right thing to do: 41 years later, his famous Osteria Le Logge is still one of the most important cult places in Tuscan gastronomy and the unique ambience is one of Sting's and Gianna Nannini's favourite restaurants.

After this gastronomic success story, Gianni was drawn back to his home Montalcino. Determined, he bought the vineyard Le Chiuse di Sotto in 1987, because his late father had worked there as a farmer. In memory of his father Dino, a small piece of the vines planted by him in 1947 is still preserved. In the mid-1990s, the Podernovone estate, located in the southeast, was added, which was inaugurated in 2015 as the official headquarters of the winery.

They say that behind every great man there is also a strong woman. Gianni Brunelli was a great man who could always count on the support of his remarkable wife Laura, who was always by his side until his unexpected death in 2008. Today, Laura continues her husband's tradition and values at the Le Chiuse di Sotto winery.

Six and a half hectares of vines are cultivated organically and take over 400 hours of work per unit. Brunello di Montalcino has a world-class reputation, and the wines from the Brunelli house confirm its level every year. The other wines like Amor Costante, a Sangiovese-Merlot blend, or the single-varietal Merlot Toscano IGT and Brunelli's Rosso di Montalcino are in no way inferior to the competition.

The Brunellis' quiet flight of fancy is not least due to the precise work in the vineyard: "It is actually totally normal to produce balanced quality wines if you bring ripe and healthy grapes into the cellar. Quality primarily comes from the work in the vineyard", Laura, who is now supported by Gianni's brother Adriano, tells. The demanding quality philosophy of the founding couple is still reflected in all wines, thanks to which the memory of Gianni Brunelli will not be forgotten.

"There are many different ways to give meaning to one's life. Ours is to make wine so good that those who drink it are moved to goodwill and friendship," explains the Sardinian native. Each label is adorned by the artwork "Elvira with Hat" - a tribute to Gianni's mother Elvira, created for Gianni and Laura by painter and Harvard economist Richard M. Goodwin. The original still hangs at the entrance of the Osteria Le Logge in Siena. SUPERIORE.DE