Fattoria dei Barbi

The Colombini family has held land in Montalcino since 1352, making them one of the longest-standing wine dynasties in all of Italy. The family acquired Fattoria dei Barbi itself around 1790, and formal Brunello production began in 1892. The estate reached beyond Italy's borders early, exporting Brunello to France as far back as 1817 and to the United States in 1962, well before Brunello had achieved its current international reputation. Today, Stefano Cinelli Colombini leads the estate as the 20th generation of the family.

• Family ownership of Montalcino land dates to 1352
• Brunello production began in 1892, among the earliest in the region
• First Brunello exports to France in 1817 and to the United States in 1962
• Currently led by Stefano Cinelli Colombini, 20th generation

The estate spans 350 hectares in total, with 66 hectares registered for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG production. Vineyards sit at elevations between 300 and 500 meters above sea level with southern exposures that maximize sun exposure during the growing season. The warm, dry Mediterranean climate is tempered by cool night breezes, a critical factor in preserving acidity and aromatic complexity in the Sangiovese. Soils vary across the estate and include marl, alberese limestone, clay, sand, and shale. Additional holdings extend to Scansano and Chianti, supporting a broad portfolio of Tuscan wines.

• 66 hectares registered for Brunello; 350 hectares total across Tuscany
• Elevations of 300 to 500 meters with southern-facing vineyard exposure
• Soils include marl, alberese limestone, clay, sand, and shale
• Cool night breezes moderate the warm Mediterranean climate

Fattoria dei Barbi combines deep traditional roots with a consistent track record of technical innovation. The estate created Brusco dei Barbi in 1969, recognized as the first Super Tuscan wine. In 1972, it produced the first monovarietal grappa in Italy, the Grappa di Brunello. On the cellar side, the team implemented cold pre-fermentative maceration using CO2 in 2000 and was among the first in Europe to experiment with cryomaceration in 2001. Brunello di Montalcino requires a minimum of four years aging, including at least two years in oak barrel, before release.

• Created Brusco dei Barbi in 1969, considered the first Super Tuscan
• First Italian producer of a monovarietal grappa (1972)
• Implemented CO2 cold pre-fermentative maceration in 2000
• Among Europe's first to experiment with cryomaceration (2001)

The estate's flagship is Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, made from 100% Sangiovese and produced in volumes of approximately 156,000 to 200,000 bottles annually. The iconic blue label featuring the Colombini family crest is one of the most recognizable in Brunello. The portfolio also includes Brunello Riserva, Vigna del Fiore single-vineyard selections, Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Morellino di Scansano DOCG, and Chianti Classico. Grapes grown across the estate include the Brunello clone of Sangiovese alongside Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia del Chianti, Canaiolo, Vermentino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Ciliegiolo.

• Brunello di Montalcino made from 100% Sangiovese
• Blue label with Colombini family crest is among Brunello's most recognized
• Vigna del Fiore is the prestige single-vineyard selection
• Portfolio spans Rosso di Montalcino, Morellino di Scansano, and Chianti Classico

Fattoria dei Barbi operates as a full agritourism destination in the heart of Montalcino. The cellars opened to the public in 1949 and have since welcomed over 1.5 million visitors. The estate houses the Museo del Brunello, a museum dedicated to the history of the wine and the region. Taverna dei Barbi offers a restaurant experience on-site, and Caseificio dei Barbi runs a working dairy farm. A private collection of historical bottles dating from 1870 to the present documents the estate's unbroken production history.

• Cellars open to the public since 1949; over 1.5 million visitors to date
• Museo del Brunello documents the history of the wine and the region
• Taverna dei Barbi restaurant and Caseificio dei Barbi dairy operate on the estate
• Historical bottle collection spans from 1870 to the present