ontalcino, not so far from Siena, is a hill town and commune in Tuscany, Italy. It is famous all over the world for its Brunello di Montalcino wine and tradition in wine industry. The Monte Amiata is located nearby. The hill upon which Montalcino sits has probably been settled since Etruscan times.
The Vineyards and the Farm La Velona
The farm's heart is a wonderful farmhouse of the XIX century, carefully restored about 3 km from Abbey of Sant'Antimo and 10 from Montalcino.
At the ground floor are the wine-cellars with modern plants for the wine-making, barriques for the maturing as well as a tasting room.
The vineyards of the farm cover an area of 12 hectares planted with Sangiovese Grosso which is the clone that produces Brunello di Montalcino.
These are situated at an altitude of 280 meters above sea level, which is considered the ideal position for vineyards. The vines are placed at a distance of 3 meters (10 foot) by 1 meter (3,3 foot) from each other, which means 3300 every hectare (1335 every acre). The wines are grown with the "rammed cordon" method (cordone speronato) in order to better distribute the vines along their shoots and thus improve both cultivation methods and grape quality. The farmers have carefully studied the south-west exposure.
"La Velona" produces three different typologies of wines:
- The famous Brunello di Montalcino, symbol of this land and of the excellence of Italy in wine world;
- The wonderful Rosso di Montalcino;
- The Sant'Antimo that takes its name by the nearby Sant’Antimo’s Abbey.
For more information visit: www.lavelona.com