Tenuta Buon Tempo

Tenuta Buon Tempo is an estate and winery in the extreme south of the Montalcino zone, surrounded by breathtaking countryside. The estate covers 28 hectares, of which 14 are vineyards. The central part of the estate is known as Podere Oliveto, the first historic references to which date back to 1941, attributing its ownership to Signor Rossini Martelli, proprietor of the lands of the Castello di Velona. This farm was managed, like all those in the area during that period, according to the sharecropping system, and was devoted almost exclusively to the cultivation of olive trees.

In the 1960s, Podere Oliveto was left abandoned as the advent of industrialisation encouraged people’s escape towards towns and cities. In 2012, Per and Janet fell in love with the estate on their first visit and could envisage its potential. Per purchased the property and gave it the name “Tenuta Buon Tempo” as a tribute to the beauty of the surrounding countryside. In 2015 the first wine under the Tenuta Buon Tempo label, the 2010 vintage of Brunello di Montalcino, was bottled and offered for sale.

The first vineyards were planted by the preceding owner in the parcel of land no. 56, which today still constitutes the most “ancient” vines of the estate being farmed. It is in this plot that the best grapes are harvested, thanks to their constant and meticulous application of conservation, care and attention.

After a long process of conversion, which began when Per arrived at Montalcino, in 2021 the estate received its official certification as an organic producer from Bioagricert. The company’s objective is to achieve total ecological sustainability by the end of 2030.

Their vineyards are spread over 800 metres, with an altitude difference of 170 meters between the highest and lowest vineyards. This allows for considerable thermal excursion between day and night, favouring slow ripening of the grapes and good acidity in the finished wine despite the fact that the vineyards are all south-east facing.

Last summer I visited the winery. Their son Filippo gave us the tour. Wonderful to see what kind of vision this young man has. It is also cool to see that the new generation of winemakers are taking an innovative look at cellar techniques to help wines reach their maximum potential at a younger age. That is Filippo's goal. To match the quality of a Poggio di Sotto in a younger stage of the wine than average.

That's quite a challenge when you're a Brunello producer. Brunellos usually need a lot of age to reach their potential. And to compete with one of the best producers in the region is quite ambitious. But I don't see it as impossible, Filippo has infected us with his enthusiasm and energy and so have his wines. Tenuta Buon Tempo is still a true gem, but I believe it will build more brand awareness within a few years.

Top Tenuta Buon Tempo vintages are: 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2019.

FACTS

Year Founded: 2010

Owner: Per and Janet

Annual production: approx. 40,000 bottles

Vineyard: approx. 28 hectares

Organic Viticulture

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Tenuta Buon Tempo Wines