Tenuta Il Poggione

From Shepherds' Tales to a Historic Estate

The history of "Tenuta Il Poggione" began at the end of the 19th century and sounds like a true legend. Lavinio Franceschi, a landowner from Florence, heard tales about the beauty of this region from a shepherd who was grazing his sheep around Montalcino in the winter. Despite the difficulties and dangers of travel at the time, L. Franceschi decided to visit the area himself. He was so captivated by the majestic landscape and the local people that he decided to purchase land here and establish an estate.
Today, more than a century later, Lavinio's vision is carried on by his descendants, Leopoldo and Livia Franceschi. With the same passion, they combine ancient winemaking crafts with the most innovative solutions necessary for the successful development of the estate.

Unique Terroir and the "Vigna Paganelli" Vineyard

The estate is located in the village of Sant'Angelo in Colle, about 10 km south of Montalcino. The vineyards lie at an altitude of 150–450 meters above sea level. This variation in altitude and the unique microclimate, softened by the nearby Mount Amiata and the Tyrrhenian Sea, ensure perfect conditions for Sangiovese grapes.

• Vigna Paganelli: This is one of the oldest and most important Cru vineyards in Montalcino, planted back in 1964. Specially selected old Sangiovese clones grow in this vineyard, distinguished by small berries with thick skins. It is precisely from the grapes of this vineyard that the estate's most prestigious wine is produced—Brunello di Montalcino Riserva.

Winemaking Philosophy: Innovation Serving Tradition

In 2004, a new, modern winery was built in the very heart of the estate, where everything is designed to preserve the authentic style of the wine:

• Fermentation: The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks using only wild (indigenous) yeasts. The estate employs the traditional "submerged cap" method, lasting 15–20 days. This allows for the extraction of intense color and deep flavors while honoring the classic "Brunello" style.
• Aging: All aging of "Il Poggione" wines takes place underground. The cellar, located at a depth of 5 meters, naturally maintains the ideal temperature and humidity. Here, the wine rests for years in large (30–50 hl) French oak barrels. The estate sources the wood directly from suppliers, and the oak is naturally air-dried outdoors for at least 4 years before being crafted into barrels.