La Rasa | La Serena

As early as 1933, Azienda Agricola La Rasa Sangiovese was already cultivating Sangiovese. In 1988, the small family business located in the Montalcino area was renamed La Serena. In the very first year under the new name, the brothers Andrea and Marcello Mantengoli also bottled the first 2,700 bottles of Brunello "La Serena". In the following period, the production figures could be increased to about 30,000 bottles, since after originally one hectare of vineyard area, today there are already about 10 hectares available for the cultivation of wine. More than 70 percent of the three wines produced at the estate are destined for export.

While Andrea, who is more practically minded, does the field and cellar work on the estate, Marcello, as the creative head of the company, is mainly concerned with sales. The south-east-facing vineyards of the family estate, which has increasingly been run according to biodynamic rules for some years now, extend to the east of Montalcino at the foot of the Cerbaie hills. In this area the ground is a little bit firmer than in other areas. Besides sand and clay, the soil also contains lime. The vineyards reach an average altitude of 350 metres and are planted exclusively with Sangiovese. Since 2013, the vineyards and winery have been certified organic.

The new wine cellar, designed by Marcello and built on a hillside, is immaculately and functionally equipped. It was completely insulated with cork plates. A geothermal system ensures a cooler indoor temperature in summer and a warmer indoor temperature in winter. The air flows through a large network of pipes and leaves the rooms through a series of chimneys. The cellar holds 20-hectolitre barrels and barriques in which some of the Brunello wines are aged.

As it is well known that quality begins in the vineyard, the Martengoli brothers cooperate with the agronomist Ruggero Mazzilli. Since 1997, the estate owners have also relied on the wine knowledge and advice of oenologist Paul Caciorgna. SUPERIORE.DE