LA CERBAIONA Brunello di Montalcino 2021

Description

Brunello di Montalcino La Cerbaiona is one of the most recognized names among the artisanal estates of Montalcino, appreciated for its stylistic consistency and its strong connection to a historic vineyard site.

The estate is located on the Cerbaiona hill, northeast of Montalcino, an area long known for the quality of Sangiovese Grosso. The modern reputation of the winery began in the late 1970s, when Diego Molinari acquired the property and started bottling under his own label. Over time, the estate built an international following thanks to its limited production and a rigorous style deeply rooted in terroir.

In 2015, ownership passed to a group of investors led by Gary Rieschel and Matthew Fioretti, with the stated objective of preserving the historical identity of the estate while strengthening agronomic precision and technical rigor. The change in ownership did not alter the stylistic direction: production remains small and entirely focused on Sangiovese, with Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino at the core of the project.

The vineyards cover only a few hectares on the hill, with high planting density and meticulous vineyard management. In recent years, the traditional alberello (bush vine) training system has been reintroduced — a rare choice in Montalcino — aimed at promoting vine balance and long-term quality. The soils, rich in galestro and mineral components, contribute to the structure and depth that characterize the wines from this site.

In the cellar, the approach remains restrained and traditional: spontaneous fermentations, long aging in large oak casks and no pursuit of stylistic excess. Time is considered an essential part of the winemaking process, with the goal of producing Brunello that is solid, coherent and capable of long aging.

Brunello di Montalcino La Cerbaiona therefore represents the continuity of a project that, despite changes in ownership, has maintained a clear direction: focus on the vineyard, limited production and respect for the classic tradition of the denomination.