Pocket sommelier anyone? Ex-Cellar experiences post Covid
Surveying this view, in the oblong cool shade cast by a cypress tree, looking out as far as Siena and finally getting on first hand terms with Brunello while physically in Montalcino is undoubtedly a special experience. As we chat and examine the state of the vines, our conversation is punctuated by our neighbours’ rooster’s absolute disregard for diurnal rhythms and the double beat song of the turtle-doves. Butterflies congregate around the lavender, roses bloom at the end of each vine-row and great bushes of rosemary tumble down the stone walls.
After stepping though the enormous double doors into the first room of the cellar – a huge, high-ceilinged barn-like room - and being greeted by the impressive sight of eight 5000 liter wooden fermentation tanks, we move into the barrel room where acoustics are better. The door that divides the vinification area from the aging space is an ancient 18th century portone from a Piedmontese convent, made from solid dark cherry wood and studded with nails. The key is as long as my hand.
It is impossible to not to consider what a small producer we are, sitting in this one room containing five vintages of Brunello quietly maturing in yet more wooden barrels. There is a round table and up to eight mis-matched chairs. The undulating roof is made up with single cedar slats. The only sound is the odd gurgle from an airlock as we make our presence felt.
There is no way to enjoy any of this when masked and distanced. Dividing couples and families in order to respect Covid limitations is the very opposite of the welcome we want to give. We have many beautiful outdoor spaces but I am not personally a huge fan of Brunello under the Tuscan sun. Since we farm without chemicals we have our fair share of bugs and insects and there are too many conflicting outdoor aromas to do full justice to a tasting of our wines.
After much agonizing we have decided to suspend our cellar visits for the time being.
What we are doing instead is this:
We deliver mixed taster packs of our wines to hotels and villas for those visiting Montalcino.
We can make a secure distance sale and coordinate cellar-door pick-up if you are in the area.
Should you wish to have a private introduction to the estate, Brunello in general and to our wines in particular, we can set up an informal zoom chat to answer all your questions. It’s not every day you get to have a sommelier at your service. This experience is free of charge to those purchasing our wines but can also be tailored to your needs as a gift or special experience. If you have already visited but would like to come back “virtually” with friends, just drop me a line and we can set up something fun.
Our wines are available in the oldest wine shop in the world, Enoteca La Fortezza here in Montalcino for purchase when in Montalcino or shipping.
If you write to us we can let you know how you can get our wines in your part of the world.
If you have visited in the past and would like to do us a kindness, please consider leaving a review with photos on our Google Business Page and if you would like to stay in touch with the estate events and offers, please sign up for our newsletter here.
