Casanova di Neri

Giovanni Neri established Casanova di Neri in 1971 in the commune of Montalcino, planting the groundwork for what would become one of the appellation's most celebrated estates. The first bottled wine appeared in 1977, and by 1978 the estate was producing its White Label Brunello di Montalcino. The debut of the Cerretalto single-vineyard release followed in 1981, signaling an early commitment to terroir-specific winemaking that was unusual for the era. When Giovanni passed away in 1991, his son Giacomo took over as sole owner and set about expanding and refining the estate's vision.

• Estate founded 1971 by Giovanni Neri in Montalcino, Tuscany
• First bottled wine released 1977; White Label Brunello production began 1978
• First Cerretalto single-vineyard vintage released 1981
• Giacomo Neri became sole owner in 1991 following Giovanni's death

Under Giacomo Neri's stewardship since 1991, Casanova di Neri grew from its original holdings to a 63-hectare estate and earned international recognition including a Wine Spectator Wine of the Year honor in 2006. The third generation is now firmly embedded in the business: Giacomo's son Giovanni focuses on winemaking, his son Gianlorenzo handles sales and marketing, and Marianna Neri is also an active part of the team. Their collective direction was featured in Wine Spectator in March 2026, exploring how the family is shaping the estate's future. The 50th anniversary of the estate was celebrated in 2021, marking five decades of continuous family ownership.

• Giacomo Neri has led the estate since 1991, expanding holdings to 63 hectares
• Third generation: Giovanni (winemaking), Gianlorenzo (sales and marketing), and Marianna Neri
• 50th anniversary celebrated in 2021; family featured in Wine Spectator March 2026 on succession
• Recognized in the 2025 World's Best Vineyards rankings under Giacomo's leadership

Casanova di Neri farms 63 hectares spread across several distinct zones of Montalcino, giving the estate access to a wide range of soils and exposures. The Cerretalto vineyard in Torrenieri sits on east-facing rocky galestro soils rich in iron and magnesium, producing the estate's most critically acclaimed wine. Tenuta Nuova occupies the warmer southern sector near Castelnuovo dell'Abate and Sant'Angelo in Colle and encompasses the sub-parcels Pietradonice and Le Cetine. Additional holdings include the Fiesole vineyard (8 hectares near the winery in northeast Montalcino), Podernuovo at 480 metres altitude in Torrenieri, the 4-hectare Spereta in Torrenieri, and the Giovanni Neri vineyard in the southeast planted with 50-year-old vines.

• Cerretalto: east-facing, rocky galestro soils with iron and magnesium, Torrenieri
• Tenuta Nuova: southern Montalcino near Castelnuovo dell'Abate, includes Pietradonice and Le Cetine parcels
• Podernuovo reaches 480 metres altitude; Giovanni Neri vineyard planted with 50-year-old vines
• Fiesole vineyard covers 8 hectares in northeast Montalcino adjacent to the winery

Casanova di Neri is aligned with the modern or international style of Brunello, producing wines characterized by rich, unctuous dark fruit, cool fine tannins, and refined oak rather than the more austere, oxidative character of the traditional camp. The estate operates a three-story gravity-fed cellar that allows fruit to move through production without pumping, preserving freshness and texture. Winemaking combines traditional practices with cutting-edge technology under the direction of third-generation winemaker Giovanni Neri. The estate began its conversion to full organic certification with the 2018 vintage, reflecting a growing commitment to sustainable viticulture. Wines range from the White Label Brunello through the two prestige single-vineyard releases and extend to the IGT Toscana Pietradonice made from Cabernet Sauvignon.

• Modern style of Brunello: rich dark fruit, fine tannins, refined oak rather than austere traditional profile
• Three-story gravity-fed cellar avoids pumping and preserves fruit integrity
• 2018 vintage marked the beginning of conversion to full organic certification
• Portfolio spans Brunello DOCG, Rosso DOC, IGT Cabernet Sauvignon (Pietradonice), and vermentino whites

Casanova di Neri has played a defining role in establishing the credibility of the modern style of Brunello di Montalcino on the world stage. The estate's Cerretalto has earned perfect scores from virtually every major critic and publication, a feat few producers in any appellation can claim. The 2001 Tenuta Nuova's selection as Wine Spectator Wine of the Year in 2006 brought unprecedented attention to Montalcino and to single-vineyard thinking within the appellation. With 80% of production exported to 55 countries and around 300,000 bottles produced annually, the estate operates at genuine scale without sacrificing quality. Now entering its third generation, Casanova di Neri represents a compelling case study in family succession, regional identity, and the ongoing debate between traditional and modern interpretations of Sangiovese Grosso.

• Cerretalto holds 100-point scores from Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, James Suckling, and multiple other major critics
• 2001 Tenuta Nuova named Wine Spectator Wine of the Year in 2006, a landmark moment for Montalcino globally
• 2019 Giovanni Neri Rosso scored 100 points from James Suckling and ranked No. 7 on his 2023 Top 100 World Wines
• 80% of approximately 300,000 annual bottles exported to 55 countries as of 2018