Our Estate

All great single grape varietals are at their heart defined by terroir, microclimate, and the natural influences that impact the grapes.  Brunello di Montalcino is no exception and at Il Palazzone we have carefully curated our vineyards to give us the greatest opportunity to produce classic, old-school Brunellos with balance, brightness, and complexity, approachable in their youth, but still with the character and backbone to age for years into the greatest expression of this unique place.

The majority of our vineyards lie on the hill of Le Due Porte, which rises from a valley at roughly 300 meters above sea level to its apex over 600 meters.  It has a largely westerly disposition.  The terroir itself goes from Pietraforte at the higher levels to Galestro at lower altitudes, creating superior drainage and forcing the hardy vines to work for their water.   Le Due Porte also enjoys the well-known Tramontana wind and is surrounded largely by bosco (forest).  With the altitude, wind and bosco, the hill enjoys a unique microclimate with some of the largest diurnal changes in all of Brunello and rarely ever sees the baking heat which has become more prevalent in the low lying valleys of Montalcino.  

Our concentration of vineyards on Le Due Porte, along with some very select parcels in other areas of Montalcino which lend elements of clay, salinity and fruit, allows us to create our signature elegance, along with brightness, balance and complexity which are foundational to making old school Brunello.  We vinify each parcel separately and ultimately blend them before bottling. We are committed through vineyard selection, agronomy and work in our cellar to creating classic Brunello of exceptional quality, reflecting our unique and special terroir and the nuance of each vintage.

OUR VINEYARDS

Le Due Porte

The crown jewel of our estate, our cru vineyard Le Due Porte, surrounds the cellar at 540 metres above sea level. Thanks to the altitude and the northwest exposition, grapes from this vineyard benefit from the excellent ventilation and some of the most pronounced diurnal temperature variation in Montalcino. The soil is Pietraforte Arenaria, a type of local sandstone with a significant proportion of Galestro for improved drainage.  The soil and the altitude work together to provide optimum conditions for the grapes to develop full character with well-rounded tannins while keeping the sugar content low, delivering an unparalleled complexity on both the nose and palate.  The Cru “Le Due Porte” is our purest expression of high altitude Sangiovese but we preserve roughly 50% of each harvest to go into our Annata. 

Vigna del Capa

The Vigna del Capa parcels are situated close the hamlet of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, southwest of Montalcino. Around 200 meters lower in altitude than our vineyard Le Due Porte, this vineyard is gently sloping with northeast and southwest exposition. Sand, clay and silt in equal proportions make up the soil, with significant fine gravel and a pronounced presence of marine fossils. The fruit is distinguished by complex saline and aromatic components derived from the ancient sea. This is our warmest area, which produces more forward fruit and body.

La Vecchia

The oldest parcel, La Vecchia, about 400 meters above sea level, is just above Castelnuovo dell’Abate, in an area with soil rich in iron, magnesium and manganese. The soil from this vineyard imparts a unique mineral component to the fruit. These vines average around 50 years old.  The deep and developed root system ensures grapes with intense character and complexity.  Vines with this much experience produce more highly developed grapes, with more defined attributes and a more complete profile.

Le Vigne Basse

Our newest addition to the estate, with an enviable position on the lower half of the hill of Le Due Porte, Le Vigne Basse encompasses vineyards from roughly 350 meters to 500 meters above sea level.  With nearly 5 hectares under vine, this parcel boasts nearly perfect Galestro soil and a more southern exposure. These berries are characterized by both more fruit presence and more structure than the higher parcels, with increased minerality from the soil composition.  The change in altitude provides an enviable mix of soils , providing ideal drainage and nurturing the root systems as they burrow deep toward the water table.  The work of the vine to access the nutrients brings roundness and softness to the palate, yet still with significant depth and subtlety.

Introducing Il Palazzone 595

Cultivation has finally begun on our new, high altitude vineyard! Situated just above the cantina and our cru vineyard, this vineyard enjoys very high altitude - more or less 600 meters above sea level. Il Palazzone 595 reflects our strong conviction that the best way to preserve the elegance and balance of the great wines of Brunello’s past is to go higher.  This vineyard, which 30 years ago was left to go to seed because it was too cold to grow quality Sangiovese, is now coming into its prime.  The landscape design includes three upper terraces with natural stone walls built using the stones excavated from the site itself , and two lower parcels, also reinforced with the same natural stone walls. The west southwest exposures are perfect to take advantage of the afternoon sun and Mediterranean winds. We have planted just under 2.5 hectares, 100% Sangiovese, with clones ranging from the precious BS1 to modern clones researched and designed for the soil, altitude and exposure. An exercise in patience and planning, we expect to harvest the first grapes in 5 years, which means the wines will be in the glass in just 10 short years! We will keep you posted on progress..

OUR CELLAR

The cantina was opened in October 2012. The style of the cellar adheres to the local architectural tradition, reminiscent of a chapel amongst the vineyards, and combines contemporary architecture, cultural tradition and environmental sustainability.

The design minimizes our carbon footprint and has as small an impact on the environment as possible. Green initiatives that we were able to incorporate into the cellar include recovering rainwater for irrigating the gardens, reducing the amount of thermal energy required, utilizing a dynamic air exchange system, using recycled bricks for the roof and the walls, and sourcing all the stone for the landscaping from an on-site quarry.

As the vineyard continues to grow, we continue to update and adjust cellar operations. In 2023, we installed new cement fermentation tanks and expanded the aging room to accommodate our growth.We continue to invest in new harvest and fermentation equipment as production expands.

Meet the Team

  • Kirsten and Peter Kern

    Owners

    Kirsten and Peter are from the US. They have travelled extensively in Tuscany and Italy for the past 30+ years, culminating in the fulfillment of their dream to own a vineyard in Montalcino. Kirsten has worked in the culinary and wine world for many years, both as a chef and teacher. Peter has worked in media and travel for the majority of his career. Together, they share a passion for wine and food, as well as a desire and determination to continue to contribute to and support the legacy of Brunello. They have two sons.

  • Tullia Abi Zima Battaglia

    Estate Manager

    Tullia is our estate manager since 2022. Having worked in the wine business in Montalcino since 2006, she is uniquely positioned to manage all aspects of the estate, from grapes to wine, to sales to visits and everything in between. Her passion for her work is clear in all aspects of the vineyard, thriving and growing under her leadership. She lives in Montenero d’Orcia with her husband and son.

  • Paola B. Martino

    Cellar Master

    Paola has been with us since 2019. Her dedication to constantly improving the quality of the wine has proved invaluable to the growth and position of the vineyard, and she continues to lead us in best practices in every aspect of wine-making. She earned a degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of Pisa in 2005 and has worked in Montalcino since then. She lives in Montalcino with her husband and two children.

  • Maurizio Castelli

    Consultant Winemaker

    Born in Milan and long-term resident in Tuscany, Maurizio has been working as an enological consultant since the 1980s. He has ongoing projects in both Chile and California. He and his team also oversee the agronomical side of our operations since what happens in the vineyards is crucial to the quality of our wines.