Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona

Italy

Winery Information

Location: Montalcino, Toscana

Winemaker: Paolo Bianchini, Alex Bianchini

Properties: 50 hectares (124 acres) with southwest exposure in the Orcia Valley (UNESCO World Heritage), near the Orcia River, south of Montalcino. These 50ha include the 11ha of the emblematic Vigna di Pianrosso.

Production: 250,000 bottles of which 65% are exported

Web: https://www.ciaccipiccolomini.it/

The estate has origins dating back to the 17th century and still preserves its historical heritage of “Palazzo” built by the bishop of Montalcino. In 1877 the Ciacci family acquired the entire property. Following the marriage between Count Alberto Piccolomini d'Aragona, direct descendant of Enea Silvio Piccolomini [better known as Pope Pius II] and Elda Ciacci, the Episcopal Palace became the Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Palace.

In 1985, Countess Elda Ciacci bequeathed the entire property to Giuseppe Bianchini, the estate's farmer, applying a completely new and avant-garde production philosophy for the time, increasing the quantity and quality of the wines and opening exports to the entire world. . Currently his children Paolo, Lucia, Alex and Ester Bianchini run the winery, with Paolo and Alex as chief winemakers.

The estate has 50ha of vineyards among which is the Vigna di Pianrosso (11.69ha), the oldest and most representative vineyard. of the house, and from its grapes the wines Brunello di Montalcino DOCG “Pianrosso” and Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva “Vigna di Pianrosso” are made. The soil is medium grain with good levels of loam, dating back to the Eocene. The altitude of this large vineyard varies from 240 to 360 meters above sea level.

Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona has two wineries: the historic winery, dedicated to the long aging of the most prestigious wines, located in the basement of the 17th century Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Palace; and the new winery, near the village of Castelnuovo dell'Abate, today the headquarters of the estate with fermentation, aging, refining and storage facilities.