Secrets of Fattoria del Cerro: History of the Estate and Vino Nobile Production

The estate began in 1922 on Baiocchi family land at Acquaviva, within a landscape of agricultural fields and Turkey-oak woods managed under sharecropping. Acquired by the Tenute del Cerro group in 1978, it took a new direction during the 1980s as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano underwent qualitative renewal and received DOCG status.

Fattoria del Cerro now extends across more than 600 ha, including 181 ha of vineyards and 93 ha registered for Vino Nobile. The vines form a mosaic across Acquaviva, Cervognano, Montenero and Tre Berte. This fragmentation and diversity of exposure allow grape selection to vary with the vintage.

The soils derive from Pliocene marine sediments. They include clay reaching 45%, lighter sandy loam, fossil-bearing calcareous marine deposits and iron-rich brown soils. Prugnolo Gentile is the central variety. A selection project based on old-vine material produced the certified Grifo, Bravìo and Brescello clones, while Colorino, Mammolo, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Pugnitello and Fogliatonda remain part of the estate’s native-variety heritage.

The account connects the estate with the Pieve di Sant’Ilario and identifies Fontelellera among its relevant vineyards. It also describes the expanded winery, design-led barrel cellar, visitor route, agronomist-led vineyard tours, e-bike routes, cooking classes, truffle hunting, vineyard picnics and Relais Villa Grazianella.