Introducing Il Palazzone 595
We are excited to announce that digging has started on our new vineyard! Situated directly up the hill from the cantina, this vineyard enjoys very high altitude - more or less 600 meters above sea level. The west southwest exposures are perfect to take advantage of the afternoon sun. The vineyard will be terraced, with walls built using the stones excavated from the site itself. In all, the fields will comprise about 2.5 hectares, planted in three parcels with 100% Sangiovese. 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, as the digging finishes, the terraces are constructed , the baby vines planted, etc. as this exciting project develops.
ABOUT OUR NEW VINEYARD
Our team is committed to making the highest quality wine using traditional methods and approaches for the truest expression of Brunello Sangiovese.
More concerned with quality and tradition than volume, we strive to make the best of each harvest/crop given the parameters of the weather, microclimate, altitude, soil and terroir, understanding the issues to maximize outcome.
We are committed to ecologically and environmentally friendly business practices and a positive workplace. We promise to deliver a wine of exceptional character and quality to make the most of your enjoyment, be it at an event, a celebration, or a weekday dinner.
FOLLOW THE PROGRESS
Keep updated about how our new vineyard is coming along
Here you will find more detail regarding our vineyards, cellar and wines, along with reflections and estate decisions, difficulties and triumphs. Want to know about the history of airlocks? The tale of the tiles on Montalcino town hall? How much it rained in 2015? This is the place, come and browse!
Wherever you come from and whatever holidays you celebrate or calendar you follow, January is always a time of reflection and reset.
Il Palazzone is proud to announce the acquisition of the vineyards of Società Albatreti, on a site adjacent to Il Palazzone’s existing vineyards. The newly acquired parcel, an historic jewel of Montalcino, is known for spectacular galestro soil and south westerly exposure, further enhancing the terroir and elevation profile of Il Palazzone.
Felice Anno Nuovo! Salutations, Friends, and Happy New Year!
Welcome to the new quarterly newsletter!
2022 is one for the books and what a year it has been! Our first full year as owners was packed with plans, ideas and a very steep learning curve…
We are sad to share the news that Laura Gray is leaving Il Palazzone. We are very sorry to lose her, although we are excited for her as she discovers her next adventures. For now, she is planning to finish her book, The Magpies Guide to Montalcino, while she considers new opportunities.
Brooklyn-born Hillary Sterling is the executive chef of Ci Siamo, Union Square Hospitality Group's latest restaurant in Manhattan West. Her experience includes A Voce, salami and butchery at Lupa Osteria and Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill.
It is no secret that 2017 was a tough vintage in Montalcino. January was wonderfully cold, with night temperatures as low as -6 C (21F) but by March temperatures were 2.5 degrees celsius warmer than "normal" (hitting 22C/71.6F) and we had had half the usual rainfall.
Discover this amazing little farmers’ almanac that has been published in Florence for the last 145 years.
On Sunday 3rd October 2021, the four quarters of Montalcino are holding a moveable feast with a course at each of their headquarters, rooms usually absolutely inaccessible to the general public.
As the vines grow into a vertical wall of foliage, we tuck them between the foliage wires and clip the parallel wires together for tension and guidance. For the last fifteen or so years we have used an ecological and biodegradable clip.
Our processes and dry goods are under constant scrutiny since we are always keen to improve our practice as far as sustainability is concerned, be it through plant-based closures or the decision to lightweight our bottles back in 2010.
Jenny McCathern Cuddihy is leaving us for vineyards new. After nearly eight years as our US person, responsible for distribution, marketing and sales and much more, we wish you a hearty In Bocca Al Lupo! Your smile will be missed.
Finally Brunello is an ambitious, multi-location week-long event organised by the Consorzio del Brunello to promote Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino all the while supporting the restaurant industry that has suffered so terribly of late.
The DOCG rule number 8.2 specifies that only natural closures from a single piece cork (i.e. not micro-agglomerated) are permitted for Brunello.
Recently I submitted to a free consultation for our Instagram profile. I was informed that for a winery there is not nearly enough wine in our feed. Apparently what would really bump us up the algorithm would be more pictures of grapes and failing that glasses of wine every second post. Enough pesky shots of buds and leaves and Montalcino panorama.
19th May 2021; the third time in Giro history that Montalcino gets a look-in… 35km of strade bianche!
Our 2004 Brunello gets reviewed 12 years after release…. and is considered to still have 14 years cellar life ahead of it!
Discover this amazing little farmers’ almanac that has been published in Florence for the last 144 years.
The inspiration and evolution of the label of our new wine, Le Due Porte Brunello 2015 created by Chris Watson.
Local Michelin-starred chef, Roberto Rossi, provides a wonderful recipe to go with our new release, Le Due Porte Brunello 2015.
Altitude, exposition and soil profile of the Le Due Porte vineyard - three reasons to bottle this wine as a separate Brunello.