Valentini

Edoardo Valentini, known as the "Lord of Wines", gave up a career in law to devote himself to winemaking. He lived a reclusive life, rejected modern winemaking techniques and developed his own approach based on the experience of the past. He kept his methods secret and did not allow outsiders into the winery.

Edoardo died in 2006 at the age of 72. His son Francesco was already a co-owner of the estate by then. Francesco now makes the family's wines to the same strict standards set by his father.

Actual production depends directly on the quality of the harvest, which limits output.

Under regional regulations the estate may produce 800,000 bottles a year. Because making outstanding wine depends directly on the quality of the harvest, actual production is limited to 50,000 bottles a year. Edoardo rejected modern winemaking techniques and built his own approach on the experience of the past. The production methods were kept secret and outsiders were not admitted to the winery. The wines have a markedly natural character and sometimes need extensive aeration to open up fully.

Edoardo Valentini rejected modern winemaking techniques and relied on the experience of the past. Francesco continues to make the wines to the same strict standards. The estate holds that outstanding wine depends directly on the quality of the harvest, so it produces far less than it is permitted to.