AZIENDA AGRICOLA CANNETO

In 1987 a group of Swiss friends, who had been holidaying near Montepulciano for years and who loved the local wine, decided to buy a wine estate in the region. They were such enthusiasts for Canneto’s Vino Nobile that they bought the property. They took on an Italian partner, the agronomist Ottorino de Angelis who has been in charge of the day-to-day management of the estate. He is ably assisted by the sales manager Marco Paoloni and Roberto Paoloni, the cellar manager. Carlo Ferrini is their consultant oenologist.

The estate has 48 hectares in one plot, below the winery. 26 hectares are under vine and of these, 15 hectares are devoted solely to Vino Nobile.

The soil is heavy pebbly marl, at altitudes between 350 and 400m. The exposition is southwest, and the vines are planted horizontally to the slopes, not vertically.

Rosso di Montepulciano is 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot. The grapes are destemmed, soft-pressed and then fermented in stainless steel. The wine is aged for six months in steel, and then for a further three months in bottle.

Vino Nobile is 90% Sangiovese, and 5% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Vinification is as for the Rosso, but the wine is aged for twelve months in 500 litre French oak vats, and for six months in bottle before release.

Vino Nobile Riserva is 95% Sangiovese, and 5% Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon. Vinification is as for the Nobile, but the wine is aged for eighteen months in 500 litre French oak vats, then in 30 and 50hl barrels for 6 months, and then for a further 6 months in bottle before release.

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