Description

First time in California, this “SuperTuscan” gem from what will become an iconic vintage, is seamless and melds 80% Merlot with 20% Brunello (Sangiovese) from organically grown vineyards in the Podernovone zone of Montalcino.  Elegance and finesse, rich and lush from the Merlot, yet has grip and tang from the Sangiovese.

In 1987, Gianni Brunelli returned in Montalcino and succeeded in crowning the dream of his family, buying back the old property of his father, “Le Chiuse di Sotto”. In the memory of his father, a small plot of the vines planted by him in 1947 is still conserved. “Le Chiuse di Sotto” is located in the homonymous location northeast of Montalcino. The farm consists of a single body of 5 hectares, of which 2 are cultivated with Sangiovese while the remaining two and a half hectares are cultivated with olive groves, from which we produce our extra virgin olive oil. In the mid 90’s Gianni and Laura, bought Podernovone. Located on the south-eastern slopes of Montalcino, it consists of a 4.5-hectare property planted with Sangiovese and some Merlot since 1997, the former for Brunello and Rosso, the latter for the Amor Costante. All technical and administrative aspects of the winery are managed by Laura Brunelli and her team of family and staff.

Gianni was born in Montalcino, became Sienese, returned in Montalcino, places of excellence and hospitality. Laura was born in Sardinia near to the glorious Arborea by Eleonora. Laura left when she was eighteen. To pay for her studies in biology she remained in service of a family. One day when she was in Piazza del Campo, a young man who was Gianni il Brunelli, as she preferred to say, asked her for a cigarette. Although they had given up smoking several times, they stayed together for the next thirty years. Gianni was a worker with Ignis and was a leader for his companions. He did not care too much for political theory but relied on his sympathy. Gianni had the idea to open an old-fashioned inn. He had the idea but didn’t have a lira. However, he was so friendly that two old shopkeepers on Via del Porrione, a stone’s throw from Piazza del Campo, who were more devoted to the place where they had spent their whole lives than they were to money, took him to his word. To him, to his mother Elvira – who had always been in the kitchen – and to Laura. In 2009 the Osteria delle Logge,by now a myth for the Sienese and for travelers from all over the world, celebrated its thirty years. For over thirty years Laura and Gianni have been joined as a kite to the hand that holds the string: they have been in turn hand and kite. In November 2008 Gianni’s thread broke when he suffered a heart attack and died.

All technical and administrative aspects of the winery are managed by Laura Brunelli and her team of family and staff.  And don’t miss her restaurant when in Siena (link above).