Col d'Orcia

Col d'Orcia is an esteemed producer in the Tuscan region of Brunello di Montalcino, making DOCG-designated wines from Sangiovese.

The estate is located on the outskirts of the village of Montalcino in the Siena district of Tuscany. It has been under the ownership of a number of noble families with centuries of history, but did not produce wine in a significant way until the 1900s. In 1933, then under the name Fattoria di Sant'Angelo, the winery showcased three vintages of Brunello at the Wine Exhibition of Siena, Italy's first wine tradeshow. In 1958, the estate passed to the next generation and was divided, with one section taking the name Col d'Orcia, after the Orcia River that the grounds overlook. In 1973, it was bought by the Cinzano family, the current owners, who came from a background of Vermouth production. At the time the estate had relatively small plots dedicated to grapes while also farming other crops including tobacco and wheat. The Cinzano family began planting more vineyards and focusing the estate into a producer of fine Brunello.

The property has 540 hectares (1335 acres), of which 142ha (350 acres) are dedicated to vineyards. Some 108ha (267 acres) are solely planted with Sangiovese in Brunello-designated vineyards, the third-largest Brunello plantings in Montalcino. South-facing slopes maximize sun exposure, and the limestone and marl soils provide good drainage. Col d'Orcia uses organic farming practices across its property and is the largest certified organic wine-producing farm in Tuscany. It is heavily involved in the advancement of the Brunello appellation through partnerships with the University of Milan and the University of Florence, one aspect being the research into clonal selection of Sangiovese.

Col d'Orcia offers several different Brunello di Montalcino-designated wines. The most prestigious is the single-vineyard Poggio al Vento Riserva from the Poggio al Vento vineyard, barrel-aged for four years and aged in bottle for an additional three. Col d'Orcia also offers a Chianti and a number of red and white DOC and IGT wines.