Description
This 119.9-hectare winery is situated in the hills of Volterra, in a location of exceptional natural beauty and enjoying unparalleled privacy and tranquility. Constructed between 2013 and 2019, this cutting-edge, state-of-the-art wine cellar is a true architectural masterpiece, organized according to eco-sustainable principles that are also reflected in the sublime quality of the wines. The winery currently produces approximately 60,000 bottles of wine per year, with plans to reach 130,000 bottles per year. The vineyard area exceeds 23.5 hectares.
The property represents the culmination of a long-held aspiration and the culmination of years of dedicated work and commitment to create an activity that is in complete harmony with nature. This is achieved through the harnessing of geothermal energy, which minimizes the impact on the environment and results in the creation of what is, in essence, the winery of the future.
The entrance to the property, which is closed by a gate that is easily recognizable, is located right along the road that connects San Gimignano and Volterra. The route to the property winds through the estate's fields and vineyards, passing beneath Mauro Staccioli’s monumental work, symbolically titled First Steps, which is situated at the entrance to the estate. From the gate, it appears as though the farm's internal road passes inside the sculpture's circle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDINGS
The winery (5,600 sqm – 60,256 sqft) was constructed between 2013 and 2019. Its design was overseen by architects Paolo Rapi and Tiziana Clerici, and it is situated on a hilltop in a location between two valleys. The reinforced concrete structure, clad in local stone, can be likened to a Russian Matryoshka doll, with two buildings nested within each other. The winery is a double-height space, with two ceilings, two floors and two walls that create a wide corridor around the rooms, thus naturally regulating the interior temperature. This is further enhanced by state-of-the-art heat pumps. The winery is designed with eco-sustainability in mind, with gas replaced with low-enthalpy geothermal energy and rainwater collected, purified and reused. The winery also makes use of cutting-edge technology to control its systems, with all devices present, from lights to grape processing machinery, computerized and remotely controllable through a wide array of sensors, cameras and home automation systems. The equipment employed in the winery is of the highest quality and state-of-the-art, with the objective of ensuring maximum production efficiency while minimizing expenditure of energy.
Upon arrival at the winery, one is greeted by an elegant paved plaza that, thanks in part to the arches on the sides, evokes the atmosphere of a convent cloister. This area is an ideal setting for private events and ceremonies. Entering the building itself, which is barrier-free and therefore totally inclusive, one is greeted on the right by a wine shop with a tasting corner. On the left, one encounters a private apartment (which continues on the upper floor) that can be used as an accommodation unit for guests who request it. The apartment opens downstairs to a spacious living area with a kitchen that then leads to the first bedroom with bathroom. Going upstairs, there are two more bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a beautiful terrace overlooking the whole estate. Upon returning to the ground floor, the building continues with a large tasting room with a vaulted ceiling and all the necessary equipment to serve wine at the optimal temperature. The floor is completed by a spacious professional kitchen (the winery does not possess a restaurant license, but makes the kitchen available to caterers for events).
The building comprises both classic stairs and a futuristic elevator, the latter of which is designed to resemble a tire-bouchon corkscrew in shape. Upon ascending, in addition to the apartment sleeping area, there is a large room with tables that is normally used for events (up to 50 people can sit comfortably in the room) or for tasting sessions. On the opposite side of the building are the administrative offices of the business.
The actual winemaking cellar is located underground, where it is maintained at the optimal temperature. However, the structure is built along the slope, which necessitates the basement being accessible through two large doors located under the terrace. Upon descending from the ground floor, one first encounters a mezzanine "suspended" above the processing rooms. This room serves dual purposes, functioning as both a meeting room and a reception area for guests. Guests are able to appreciate the winery's excellent wines while observing the winemaking process. The processing rooms are situated on the lowest floor of the winery. On one side is the actual winemaking room, which houses twenty tulip-shaped natural concrete tanks. The principle of the gravitational cellar is exemplified by an automated pipe that runs along the ceiling and fills the fermenters with pressed grapes from the sorting area above. This area is located on the back side of the cellar and is accessible via a large unloading area. A room that was originally intended as a bottling line (a process that currently takes place via mobile trucks in the winery) is situated on the opposite side of the basement. This is followed by the aging room with barriques and tonneaux. The floor is completed by an exhibition room where all the wines produced by the winery over the years are stored.
Additionally, the winery contains an indoor swimming pool that can be utilized for events and ceremonies. The pool serves a dual purpose: while it provides a place for relaxation, it also functions as an outlet for excess hot water produced by the solar panels, which is then fed into the pool instead of being lost through drains.
EXTERIOR
The estate covers an area of approximately 119.9 hectares (296.3 acres). The estate is primarily dedicated to viticulture, encompassing 23.5 hectares of vineyards and a 3.0-hectare olive grove that is currently not fully productive. Additionally, the estate boasts extensive areas of arable land, which could be utilized for the planting of new vines, amounting to approximately 50 hectares. The remaining area is occupied by woods (25.7 ha) that include a ground for white truffles (Tuber magnatum). It is noteworthy that the estate’s vineyards are entirely fenced and protected from wild animals.
A private lake with a capacity of 27,000 cu.m is situated on the grounds, allowing the gardens and fields to be irrigated without the necessity of relying on private wells or the municipal water supply. This ensures self-sufficiency in this regard.
In front of the winery, just across the road, an ENAC-authorized helipad has also been constructed, allowing guests to reach the property conveniently from the air.
DETAILS ON WINE PRODUCTION
The farm is situated on a hillside at an altitude of approximately 430 m asl, with the coast of Tuscany visible in the distance. The vines are continuously refreshed by the sea breeze, which maintains their strength and vitality, enabling the production of high-quality wines. Moreover, the location of the winery is of interest, situated midway between the Bolgheri and Chianti areas. This ensures an average summer temperature of approximately 5°C lower than that of Chianti. Prior to planting the vines, careful zoning was conducted, including chemical and physical analysis of the soils. This enabled the planting of each variety in the optimal spot, allowing the grapes to express their characteristics to the fullest. The estate's soil is clayish and rich in skeleton and marine fossils, with intrusions of alabaster. This white limestone material is also used by local sculptors to create beautiful sculptures.
The winery is managed by a fully independent team of experts and passionate individuals, led by agronomist Michele Senesi and viticulturist Stefano Dini. These individuals have brought incredible innovations in Monterosola together with their innate passion for winemaking. All wine production methods are also closely followed and supervised by oenologist Giacomo Cesare, a long-time business partner of the world-class oenologist Alberto Antonini (Frescobaldi e Antinori). Sustainable agriculture and organic wine-making are at the core of Monterosola’s philosophy.
- Vineyards surface: 23.5 hectares (58.1 acres, IGT)
- Varietes: Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Vermentino, Grechetto, Incrocio Manzoni
- Altitude and exposure: 430 m asl (exposed north, south)
- Training: Guyot (manual harvesting)
- Years of planting: 2000 (1.5 ha) – 2015 (5.0 ha) – 2017-2018 (11.0 ha) – 2020 (6.0 ha)
- Soil composition: clay, sand, limestone, lots of minerals
- Yearly production: 60,000 bottles per year (up to 130,000)
CLOSEST CITIES AND TOWNS
Castel San Gimignano (8km; 10’), Volterra (12km; 15’), Casole d’Elsa (15km; 20’), Colle di Val d’Elsa (19km; 25’), San Gimignano (22km; 35’), Monteriggioni (30km; 40’), Siena (46km; 50’), Gaiole in Chianti (68km; 1h 15’), Firenze (71km; 1h 20’), Pisa (75km; 1h 15’), Lucca (83km; 1h 40’), Montalcino (84km; 1h 30’), Pienza (97km; 1h 40’), Grosseto (104km; 1h 30’), Montepulciano (106km; 1h 35’), Cortona (116km; 1h 35’)
CLOSEST AIRPORTS
Pisa G. Galilei (72km; 1h 10’), Firenze A. Vespucci (81km; 1h 10’), Grosseto Baccarini (104km; 1h 35’), Bologna G. Marconi (162km; 2h), Roma Ciampino (288km; 3h 10’), Roma Fiumicino (302km; 3h 15’)
