Storia
Sixteenth-century origins
The estate’s story begins more than five centuries ago with a mill dating from the sixteenth century. Originally created to process the produce of the surrounding land, the building was progressively adapted to a new purpose while retaining its identity and original stone architecture. The old mill eventually became the historical centre of a wine-producing and ageing estate.
Acquisition in 2001
Cantine Bonacchi acquired Tenuta Molino della Suga in 2001 as part of the expansion led by fourth-generation owner Andrea Bonacchi. The acquisition established the family company in Montalcino.
Restoration and expansion
The mill was restored and enlarged with attention to its original architecture. Its rooms became ageing cellars furnished with oak vessels, including large casks, tonneaux and barriques. The expansion brought the ageing-cellar storage capacity to 6,000 hl, with oak vessels accounting for more than half of that capacity. A temperature-controlled space was also created for the maturation of more than 150,000 bottles.
The original millstone remains preserved at the property. The estate’s hamlet and wine cellars developed around this surviving element of the former mill.
The estate today
Molino della Suga now has 36 ha of vineyards surrounding its historical nucleus. The total comprises 9 ha assigned to Brunello di Montalcino, 4 ha to Rosso di Montalcino, 16 ha to Chianti Colli Senesi, 2.5 ha to Toscana IGT Vermentino, 3 ha to Pinot Grigio and 1.5 ha to IGT Toscana Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon. The old mill continues to serve as the estate’s architectural and symbolic centre, linking its agricultural past with contemporary wine production and maturation.
Terroir
Molino della Suga lies within the estate’s vineyards in Montalcino, a short distance from the town centre. The property also overlooks estate-owned vineyards and olive groves and provides access to the wider Val d’Orcia landscape.
The 36 ha of vineyards support several expressions of the area: 9 ha are allocated to Brunello di Montalcino, 4 ha to Rosso di Montalcino and 16 ha to Chianti Colli Senesi. Further plantings are dedicated to Vermentino, Pinot Grigio and a Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon combination.
Vinificazione
The vineyards were planted at a density exceeding 5,000 vines per hectare. The 36 ha are managed as distinct denomination and varietal allocations intended to express different facets of the estate: Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino, Chianti Colli Senesi, Vermentino, Pinot Grigio and Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon.
The restored sixteenth-century mill forms the nucleus of the production and maturation facilities. Its ageing cellars have a total storage capacity of 6,000 hl. More than half of that capacity consists of oak vessels, including large casks, tonneaux and barriques.
Large oak casks housed inside the historical mill are used for the extended maturation of Brunello di Montalcino. The estate also has a temperature-controlled area capable of accommodating more than 150,000 bottles during bottle maturation. The cellar enlargement and modernisation were integrated into the old stone complex while preserving the character of its original architecture.
Filosofia
Molino della Suga presents continuity between past and present as its defining principle. The old mill embodies patience, memory and accumulated craftsmanship: time is treated as an essential component of maturation rather than merely a measurement.
The estate’s stated objective in the vineyards is to develop several expressions of its territory while pursuing balance and elegance. Its approach combines respect for the mill’s origins and architecture with the adaptation of the property for contemporary production. Each harvest is understood as a renewal of the relationship among the estate, its history and the character of Montalcino.