Gianni Brunelli

In 1987 Gianni Brunelli returned to Montalcino and fulfilled a family ambition by buying back Le Chiuse di Sotto, the property where his father Dino had worked.

A small parcel planted by Dino in 1947 is still preserved.

Le Chiuse di Sotto is a five-hectare property north-east of Montalcino. Two hectares are planted to Sangiovese and approximately two and a half hectares to olive trees used for estate extra-virgin olive oil.

In the mid-1990s Gianni and Laura acquired Podernovone on the south-eastern slopes of Montalcino. The property covers approximately 4.5 hectares and has been planted since 1997 to Sangiovese for Brunello and Rosso and Merlot for Amor Costante.

Podernovone is divided into four vineyards: Olmo, Oliva, Quercia and Gelso.

After Gianni’s death, Laura Brunelli continued the estate. She and her family and staff manage all technical and administrative aspects of the winery.

Le Chiuse di Sotto lies north-east of Montalcino at approximately 250 m. Its two hectares of Sangiovese include north- and north-east-facing vineyards. Soils contain sand and white clay. The cooler northern position provides versatility in different vintages.

Podernovone lies on the south-eastern slopes at approximately 500 m. Its four vineyards—Olmo, Oliva, Quercia and Gelso—face south and south-west. The soils are composed of galestro, calcareous marl, schist and well-drained stones.

The estate uses the contrast between the cooler northern Le Chiuse di Sotto and the higher, warmer south-eastern Podernovone to balance its Brunello and Rosso blends.

All viticulture is organic. The estate uses no herbicides or synthetic products.

Vines are trained mainly to spur-pruned cordon at approximately 4,500 plants per hectare.

Harvesting is manual in crates. The estate describes meticulous, plant-by-plant work as the basis of wine quality.

Brunello grapes ferment at approximately 27–28°C and macerate for 12–16 days. The wine matures for 24–30 months in 10, 25 and 30 hl Slavonian-oak casks.

Rosso di Montalcino is produced from the same Sangiovese vineyards as Brunello. Current technical material for 2024 states 5–6 days of fermentation at 28°C, approximately 18 days of maceration and seven months in Slavonian-oak casks.

Slow maturation in large casks allows natural clarification. Depending on vintage and wine, bottling involves only light filtration or no filtration.

Amor Costante combines Sangiovese and Merlot grown at Podernovone and was created by Gianni as a dedication to his closest friends.

The estate states that absolute quality is achieved through meticulous work in the vineyard.

Its production model uses two contrasting sites, organic farming, manual harvesting and large Slavonian oak to preserve balance and elegance.

The preservation of Dino Brunelli’s 1947 vines expresses the family’s connection to memory, while Podernovone represents Gianni and Laura’s later expansion of the project.