Argiano

Argiano's story begins in 1580 when the noble Pecci family of Siena began constructing Villa Bell'Aria, a Renaissance masterpiece designed by the celebrated architect Baldassarre Peruzzi. The name Bell'Aria, meaning 'good air,' reflects the estate's exceptional microclimate on a plateau 300 metres above the Val d'Orcia. Wine production is documented from the early 17th century, and the estate passed through several aristocratic families before flourishing under Lady Ersilia Caetani Lovatelli in the 19th century, whose cultural influence brought the wines of Argiano to the attention of luminaries including the poet Giosuè Carducci. In 1967, Argiano became a founding member of the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino alongside only 25 producers. Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano owned the estate from 1992 to 2013, engaging legendary enologist Giacomo Tachis as consultant and launching the first vintage of Super Tuscan Solengo in 1995. Brazilian entrepreneur André Esteves purchased the property in 2013, launching a comprehensive restoration of the villa, vineyards, and cellars.

• Founded 1580 by Pecci family; Villa Bell'Aria designed by Baldassarre Peruzzi, described in 1616 as the finest country palazzo in the Sienese state
• Founding member of the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino (1967); wine won a medal at the Brussels International Food Fair in 1932
• Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano owned 1992–2013; engaged Giacomo Tachis as consulting enologist; Solengo first vintage 1995
• André Esteves purchased 2013; Bernardino Sani appointed CEO and winemaker; comprehensive restoration of villa, vineyards, and new underground cellar

Argiano's 57 hectares of vines sit on a flat plateau in the southwestern sector of the Brunello zone, just west of the village of Sant'Angelo in Colle, at elevations between 280 and 310 metres above sea level. The northern parcels are planted to Sangiovese on soils of alluvial clay, sandy silt, and loam with outcroppings of calcareous limestone and marl; the southern portion of the estate hosts international varieties. Cooling breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea, approximately 50 kilometres away, moderate what would otherwise be the intensely warm southern Montalcino microclimate, preserving the acidity essential to Sangiovese's character. Chilean terroir consultant Pedro Parra mapped the vineyards into six distinct zones, leading directly to the creation of the single-vineyard Vigna del Suolo bottling. Agronomist Francesco Monari and Sani have worked together to reduce planting density, promote biodiversity, and eliminate all insecticides; the estate is now certified organic and plastic-free, with vines ranging up to 65 years in age.

• 57 hectares under vine; plateau at 280–310 metres; northern parcels clay and limestone marl planted to Sangiovese Grosso
• Tyrrhenian Sea 50 km distant; cooling tramontana breezes moderate southern Montalcino heat and preserve acidity
• Six vineyard zones mapped by Pedro Parra; Vigna del Suolo cru is a 10-acre parcel of 60-year-old vines on pure limestone
• Certified organic, plastic-free, and carbon neutral; biodiversity enhanced by elimination of insecticides; vines up to 65 years old

Under Bernardino Sani's direction, Argiano made a decisive break from the barrique-dominated, extracted style of the 1990s in favour of classical elegance and terroir transparency. Sani looked to the estate's own 1970s Brunellos for inspiration, finding in them a freshness and food-friendly balance he set out to recapture. Grapes for the classic Brunello undergo a five- to six-day cold maceration before indigenous yeast fermentation in cement vats, followed by 20 to 21 days of skin maceration. After malolactic conversion in cement, the wine ages for approximately 3.5 years in large French and Slavonian oak casks of 1,000 to 3,000 litres, with no small barriques used for the Brunello. Limited filtration and conservative sulfite additions allow the wine's natural acidity and tannin structure to develop freely. The Vigna del Suolo single-vineyard Brunello, produced since the 2016 vintage from a parcel of 60-year-old vines on pure limestone soils, represents the estate's highest expression of terroir.

• 5–6 day cold maceration; indigenous yeast fermentation in cement vats; 20–21 days skin maceration
• Malolactic fermentation in cement; approximately 3.5 years aging in large French and Slavonian oak casks (1,000–3,000 litres); no barriques for Brunello
• Vigna del Suolo: single-vineyard Brunello from 10-acre parcel of 60-year-old vines on pure limestone; first vintage 2016
• Solengo IGT Toscana: Super Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Syrah; first vintage 1995 under Giacomo Tachis

Argiano's transformation under Sani has produced remarkable critical results. The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino was named Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year in its Top 100 for 2023, described as a 'pure Sangiovese' honoured for its traditional style, exceptional quality, and value. This was Italy's fifth time earning the top Wine Spectator honour, following Solaia, Casanova di Neri, Sassicaia, and others. Earlier, the 2016 Vigna del Suolo was named Red Wine of the Year in Gambero Rosso's Vini d'Italia 2022 guide. Recent vintages have received high scores across major publications including Wine Advocate, Vinous, and Decanter, with the 2015 Brunello earning 95+ points from Wine Advocate and 97 points from Decanter. The estate is also recognised for its sustainability credentials, including organic certification, carbon neutrality, and plastic-free status.

• 2018 Brunello di Montalcino: Wine Spectator Wine of the Year 2023, the estate's highest international honour
• Vigna del Suolo 2016: Gambero Rosso Red Wine of the Year (Vini d'Italia 2022 guide)
• 2015 Brunello: 95+ points Wine Advocate; 97 points Decanter Wine Awards
• Certified organic, plastic-free, and carbon neutral; Equalitas member for sustainability

Argiano's core range centres on Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, a 100% Sangiovese Grosso wine from six vineyard parcels primarily in the northern section of the estate. The Vigna del Suolo is the estate's prestige single-vineyard Brunello, sourced from a 10-acre block of approximately 60-year-old vines on pure limestone, produced only since the 2016 vintage. A Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is produced in exceptional vintages. The Rosso di Montalcino DOCG offers earlier accessibility, sourced from younger vines and aged for a shorter period in large Slavonian oak. Solengo, the estate's celebrated Super Tuscan released under the IGT Toscana designation, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Syrah. The estate also produces Non Confunditur, a further IGT blend, as well as olive oil and honey from the estate's groves.

• Brunello di Montalcino DOCG: 100% Sangiovese Grosso; blend of six parcels; approximately 3.5 years in large oak; minimum 5 years before release
• Vigna del Suolo: single-vineyard Brunello from 60-year-old vines on pure limestone; produced since 2016 vintage only
• Brunello di Montalcino Riserva: produced in exceptional vintages; 6 years total aging required before release
• Solengo IGT Toscana: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Syrah; first vintage 1995; Montalcino's pioneering Super Tuscan

Argiano Brunello is built for extended cellaring, with the estate's limestone-enriched clay soils and high-altitude site contributing structural tension and natural acidity that support decades of bottle development. Wine Spectator's review of the 2018 Brunello suggested a drinking window from 2025 through 2042. Older vintages from the 1970s remain vibrant, and Sani has specifically cited the 1979 as evidence of the estate's extraordinary aging potential. The 2015 Brunello received a best-from date of 2022 through 2037 in some evaluations. Tertiary aromas of tobacco, leather, dried cherry, and dried orange peel emerge with age, while the mineral acidity and fine-grained tannin structure that define the house style preserve freshness over time. Standard Brunello generally benefits from at least 8 to 15 years from harvest; Riserva expressions reward patience of 15 or more years.

• Standard Brunello: drinking window typically 8–20 years post-harvest; 2018 vintage projected best 2025–2042 by Wine Spectator
• Riserva: 15 or more years recommended for full aromatic and structural development
• Estate's 1970s vintages cited by Sani as still vibrant benchmarks; limestone soils underpin long-term freshness
• Ideal cellar: 12–15°C, consistent humidity, darkness; tertiary notes of tobacco, leather, dried cherry develop with age