Piancornello

"In 1950, my great-grandfather Zefiro bought the 18th-century farmhouse Piancornello in Montalcino and planted our first Brunello vineyards here," Tuscan winemaker Claudio Monaci explains in conversation. Forty years later, he and his wife Silvia Batazzi took over this tranquil family farm in the south of the hill town, where today they continue the wine tradition of their great-grandfather in harmony with nature.

For the cultivation of the idyllic vineyards, only organic-sustainable methods came into question for the winegrowing family from the very beginning, which is why Piancornello is also one of the first strictly organic wineries in this prestigious wine region. "At the beginning it seemed a somewhat unconventional decision, but today, fortunately, more and more people believe in organic farming," says the charming winery owner Silvia.

Particular emphasis is placed on healthy grapes and low yields in order to express the typical aromas of the Sangiovese Grosso grape variety in the house Brunello and the slightly longer-aged Riserva. Their exciting Rosso di Montalcino also reveals precisely this mineral-refreshing character in the glass, because of which the red wines from the Sesta area between Sant'Angelo in Colle and Castelnuovo dell'Abate are so sought-after.

The Orcia River, which runs along the south-facing vineyards, helps moderate the climate in the very warm years and promises single-varietal Sangiovese wines with a very complex flavour profile. Silvia and Claudio's main concern is to farm as environmentally friendly and sustainably as possible in order to be able to maintain the high level of quality for the next generation - their two daughters Emma and Caterina.

Claudio has dedicated two exceptional wines to his offspring, reflecting his preference for rare Tuscan grape varieties. The IGT red wines, which bear the daughters' names on the label, are made from the ancient varieties Ciliegiolo and Colorino. These grapes thrive in the more southerly wine region of Montecucco and charm above all with wonderfully fragrant cherry notes.

Wine critic Antonio Galloni calls Piancornello one of his absolute favourite wineries in Montalcino, and we are also enthusiastic about the excellent organically produced wines, which prove to the wine world that top quality can also be achieved in a nature-friendly way. SUPERIORE.DE

"Space for good wine is in the smallest hut ... Sensitively and with great serenity, the winegrower runs his family business."Gambero Rosso