Montevertine
If today a wine lover has a bottle of Le Pergole Torte with the characteristic artist's label in front of him, it is hard to believe that fifty years ago this famous winery was only the holiday home of an Italian industrialist who wanted to produce a few bottles of wine for friends as a hobby. And even more incredible is that he just wanted to know if he was okay and sent a few bottles to the Vinitaly in Verona, which were served there by the Chamber of Commerce Siena. It tasted so good even then, because the popularity was enormous and tempted Sergio Manetti to quit his highly paid job and become a winemaker. The rest is an incomparable success story. Today the wines of Montevertine are among the absolute top wines of Italy.
The vineyard is still comparatively small with its 18 hectares. Only three wines are produced from only three grape varieties. Sangiovese dominates with 90%, Colorino and Canaiolo are added. No international grape varieties, although Montevertine and Le Pergole Torte are often referred to as "Supertuscans". The third is called Pian Del Ciampolo and, according to Martino Manetti, the son of the company founder, who died in 2000, is virtually a second wine in the sense of the Bordeaux classification.
Nine vineyards, all located at about 450 m above sea level near the dense forests above Radda in Chianti. This small region is often described as one of the best in the Chianti-Classico area. The nearby forests and the mountains behind create a cooler climate, especially at night. A lot of wind blows the fog out of the vineyards early and dries the grapes well. The soils are stony and calcareous, which often gives Sangiovese its more filigree and elegant wines. Since 2009 they have been working strictly organically, fertilizing with their own compost and fighting the wine diseases with the minimum of copper and sulphur.
The vineyard is still comparatively small with its 18 hectares. Only three wines are produced from only three grape varieties. Sangiovese dominates with 90%, Colorino and Canaiolo are added. No international grape varieties, although Montevertine and Le Pergole Torte are often referred to as "Supertuscans". The third is called Pian Del Ciampolo and, according to Martino Manetti, the son of the company founder, who died in 2000, is virtually a second wine in the sense of the Bordeaux classification.
Nine vineyards, all located at about 450 m above sea level near the dense forests above Radda in Chianti. This small region is often described as one of the best in the Chianti-Classico area. The nearby forests and the mountains behind create a cooler climate, especially at night. A lot of wind blows the fog out of the vineyards early and dries the grapes well. The soils are stony and calcareous, which often gives Sangiovese its more filigree and elegant wines. Since 2009 they have been working strictly organically, fertilizing with their own compost and fighting the wine diseases with the minimum of copper and sulphur.
In the cellar "very traditional, but with modern equipment" is used. The hand-picked grapes are macerated for about a month in concrete tanks without temperature control and then aged for one to two years in large Slavonian oak barrels. Only the pure Sangiovese Le Pergole cake is put into French barriques for a year and then into the large barrels for another year. Martino Manetti, with the help of his oenologists Bruno Bini and Paolo Salvi, continues his father's unmistakable, idiosyncratic traditional style. Very gratifying. The international wine critics, who rave every year and award the highest distinctions, naturally also find this. I am convinced that you will also be enthusiastic, especially if you give the wines some time after opening.
The Pergole Torte is such a typical wine that tells a story. From the label to the story of its founding. You can taste the charms of the winery with every sip. Wonderful to see how someone from his hobby and passion ultimately manages to break through by striving for better quality and having an eye for the best vineyards. Montevertine is a true icon for Tuscany!
Top Montevertine vintages are: 1997, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020.
FACTS
Year Founded: 1967
Owner: Martino Manetti
Annual production: approx. 90,000 bottles
Vineyard: approx. 18 hectares
Organic cultivation (not certified)
The Pergole Torte is such a typical wine that tells a story. From the label to the story of its founding. You can taste the charms of the winery with every sip. Wonderful to see how someone from his hobby and passion ultimately manages to break through by striving for better quality and having an eye for the best vineyards. Montevertine is a true icon for Tuscany!
Top Montevertine vintages are: 1997, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019 and 2020.
FACTS
Year Founded: 1967
Owner: Martino Manetti
Annual production: approx. 90,000 bottles
Vineyard: approx. 18 hectares
Organic cultivation (not certified)
explore the wines of montevertine
Montevertine
Localita' Montevertine
53017 Radda In Chianti Si
Italy
