Mastrojanni
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A Castelnuovo dell'Abate pioneer producing traditional Brunello from 41 hectares of diverse soils in Montalcino's southeastern corner.
Mastrojanni is one of Montalcino's founding estates, established in 1975 in the Castelnuovo dell'Abate zone. Founded by Roman lawyer Gabriele Mastrojanni, the estate was acquired by Gruppo Illy in 2008 and produces approximately 160,000 bottles annually using traditional large-barrel aging and no herbicides or chemical products.
- Founded in 1975 by Roman lawyer Gabriele Mastrojanni on the San Pio and Loreto estates
- Located in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, southeastern corner of Montalcino Municipality, Province of Siena
- 110 hectares total property; 41 hectares under vine at 180 to 420 meters elevation
- Five single vineyards: Pian della Casa, Costa Colonne, Schiena d'Asino, Ripi, and Poggetto
- Acquired by Gruppo Illy in September 2008; Andrea Machetti has served as CEO since 1992
- No herbicides used since 1975; no chemical products since November 2022
- Annual production of approximately 160,000 bottles
History and Ownership
Mastrojanni was established in 1975 when Gabriele Mastrojanni, a Roman lawyer, purchased the San Pio and Loreto estates in Castelnuovo dell'Abate. The estate was one of the first producers to establish itself in this southeastern zone of the Montalcino municipality. In September 2008, Gruppo Illy acquired the property under Francesco Illy's ownership, with Andrea Machetti continuing as CEO, a role he has held since 1992. The estate inaugurated a new aging cellar designed by Ernesto Illy.
- Established 1975 as one of the pioneering estates in Castelnuovo dell'Abate
- Acquired by Gruppo Illy in September 2008 under Francesco Illy
- Andrea Machetti has served as CEO since 1992
- New aging cellar designed by Ernesto Illy
Estate and Terroir
The Mastrojanni estate spans 110 hectares in total, with 41 hectares dedicated to vine cultivation. Vineyards sit at elevations ranging from 180 to 420 meters above sea level. The estate's proximity to Mount Amiata, an ancient extinct volcano, and the Orcia River creates a distinctive microclimate well suited to Sangiovese ripening. Soils are highly varied, combining clays, millenary cobblestone debris, tuffs, sandstones, gravel, sand, and limestone-rich soils with strong salinity. The nearby Abbey of Sant'Antimo, standing since the end of the 8th century, marks the historic character of this southeastern corner of Montalcino.
- Vineyards at 180 to 420 meters above sea level across 41 hectares
- Soils include clays, tuffs, sandstones, limestone-rich layers with strong salinity
- Microclimate shaped by Mount Amiata and the Orcia River
- Planting density of 5,700 plants per hectare
Grapes and Wine Styles
Sangiovese Grosso is the primary grape, forming the basis of the estate's Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Rosso di Montalcino DOC wines. The estate also grows Ciliegiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Moscato, Malvasia di Candia, and Sauvignon Blanc, which contribute to Supertuscan IGT blends and Moscadello. Two flagship single-vineyard crus, Vigna Loreto and Vigna Schiena d'Asino, represent the estate's most celebrated bottlings. Mastrojanni is one of more than 200 producers within the Consortium of Brunello di Montalcino.
- Sangiovese Grosso underpins Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Rosso di Montalcino DOC
- Single-vineyard crus include Vigna Loreto and Vigna Schiena d'Asino
- Five named single vineyards: Pian della Casa, Costa Colonne, Schiena d'Asino, Ripi, and Poggetto
- Additional varieties support Supertuscan IGT and Moscadello production
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Look it up →Winemaking Philosophy
Mastrojanni follows a traditional winemaking approach, aging wines in large barrels with no use of barriques. The estate has avoided herbicides since its founding in 1975, and from November 2022 eliminated all chemical products, transitioning toward organic and biodynamic cultivation. Non-invasive agricultural methods have been a defining principle from the start. Annual production reaches approximately 160,000 bottles.
- Aging exclusively in large barrels; no barriques used
- No herbicides used since 1975
- Transition to organic and biodynamic methods underway since November 2022
- Approximately 160,000 bottles produced annually
Mastrojanni's Brunello di Montalcino expresses the structured, age-worthy character typical of the Castelnuovo dell'Abate zone, shaped by diverse soils and significant elevation range. Large-barrel aging preserves Sangiovese's natural tannic grip, red fruit depth, and earthy complexity without the vanilla or spice influence of smaller oak.
- Mastrojanni Rosso di Montalcino DOC$25-35The estate's entry-level Sangiovese Grosso; same terroir as Brunello with earlier accessibility and classic Montalcino structure.Find →
- Mastrojanni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG$65-85Large-barrel-aged Sangiovese Grosso from Castelnuovo dell'Abate; traditional in style with notable tannic depth and longevity.Find →
- Mastrojanni Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Schiena d'Asino DOCG$150-180Single-vineyard flagship from limestone-rich soils; among the estate's most structured and collectible expressions.Find →
- Mastrojanni is classified under Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (red) and Rosso di Montalcino DOC; sole grape for both is Sangiovese Grosso
- Estate founded 1975 in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, southeastern Montalcino; acquired by Gruppo Illy in September 2008
- Traditional production: large-barrel aging only, no barriques; no herbicides since 1975, no chemical products since November 2022
- Five single vineyards across 41 hectares; planting density 5,700 vines per hectare; elevations 180 to 420 meters
- One of 200+ members of the Consortium of Brunello di Montalcino