Col d'Orcia

The Col d'Orcia estate traces its origins to a farm dating from the 14th century, with documented winemaking history from the 1700s. The Cinzano family purchased the property in 1973, and Count Alberto Marone Cinzano arrived that same year and expanded the estate to 70 hectares. Count Francesco Marone Cinzano took ownership in 1992 and nearly doubled the vineyard holdings to 140 hectares. The name itself translates as 'the hill overlooking the Orcia River,' and the Orcia River marks the southwestern boundary of the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG territory.

• Farm origins date to the 14th century; winemaking documented from the 1700s
• Cinzano family acquired the estate in 1973; Count Alberto expanded to 70 hectares
• Count Francesco Marone Cinzano took ownership in 1992 and grew vineyards to 140 hectares
• Estate sits within the UNESCO World Heritage Val d'Orcia

Col d'Orcia began converting to organic farming in the early 2000s, achieving certification in 2010 and 2013, and adopted biodynamic practices across the entire estate from 2018 onward. All 520-plus hectares are farmed without synthetic chemicals, making Col d'Orcia the largest certified organic wine producer in Tuscany. The estate holds EQUALITAS Sustainable Winery certification and has received the SNAIL award from Slow Wine, recognizing its environmental commitments alongside Wine Enthusiast's Environmental Advocate of the Year award in 2025.

• Organic certification achieved in 2010 and 2013 after conversion began in the early 2000s
• Biodynamic practices implemented across all 520-plus hectares from 2018
• Largest certified organic wine producer in Tuscany
• EQUALITAS Sustainable Winery certified; SNAIL award from Slow Wine

The estate occupies the southwestern slope of Montalcino, with vineyards ranging from 304 to 450 meters above sea level. Soils are predominantly loose limestone and marl, rich in fossils and reflecting the area's ancient seabed origin; some vineyards feature sandier soils. The climate is Mediterranean, with rainfall concentrated in spring and late autumn, abundant sunshine, and cooling breezes arriving from the Tyrrhenian coast some 21 miles away. Mount Amiata, rising to 1,750 meters, shields the estate from floods, hail, and extreme weather events.

• Vineyards at 304-450 meters on Montalcino's southwestern slope
• Limestone, marl, and fossil-rich soils derived from ancient seabed
• Mediterranean climate with cooling Tyrrhenian breezes; 21 miles from the coast
• Mount Amiata provides protection from floods, hail, and extreme weather

Col d'Orcia is a traditional Brunello di Montalcino producer, using large Slavonian oak barrels and prolonged aging to achieve a classic, acid-driven style centered on Sangiovese purity. Brunello ages three or more years in oak before release. Beyond Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino, the estate produces Supertuscan wines including Nearco and Olmaia. Single-vineyard expressions include Poggio al Vento Riserva and Vigna Nastagio. The estate also grows Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Ciliegiolo, Moscato, and Bianco. Col d'Orcia's long collaboration with the University of Florence, beginning in the 1970s, produced two patented Sangiovese clones, CD04 and CD07.

• Traditional style: large Slavonian oak barrels, 3-plus years aging for Brunello
• Single-vineyard wines: Poggio al Vento Riserva and Vigna Nastagio
• Supertuscans Nearco and Olmaia complement the DOCG range
• Patented Sangiovese clones CD04 and CD07 developed with the University of Florence since the 1970s