Our Estate

Our vineyards, each with a distinct microclimate and soil profile, contribute unique fruit, blended after fermentation to capture the fullest reflection of the diverse terroir and resulting in the balanced elegance of traditional Brunello. The wide diversity in microclimate and terroir gives us the ability to achieve our best expression of Brunello each season, extracting the special characteristics of each parcel and combining them for the optimal end product. The parcels are vinified separately to provide the most flexibility for blending and aging, with excess fruit all vinified together. Our three primary vineyards are described below.

OUR VINEYARDS

Le Due Porte

Our vineyard, Le Due Porte, surrounds the cellar at 540 metres above sea level. Thanks to the altitude and the northwest exposition, grapes from the Le Due Porte benefit from the excellent ventilation and pronounced diurnal temperature variation while basking in the Tuscan sun. The soil is pietraforte arenaria, a type of local sandstone with a significant proportion of galestro for improved drainage. The inaugural bottling of Le Due Porte Brunello 2015 was released in 2020. Bottle production is currently capped at 2500 bottles.

Vigna del Capa

The Vigna del Capa is situated close the hamlet of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, southwest of Montalcino. More than 200 meters lower in altitude than our vineyard Le Due Porte, these vines are over twenty years old. The vineyard is gently sloping with northeast and southwest exposition. Sand, clay and silt in equal proportions make up the soil, with significant fine gravel and a pronounced presence of marine fossils. The fruit is distinguished by complex saline and aromatic components. This is our warmest parcel, one on which we rely for more forward fruit and sugar.

La Vecchia

The oldest parcel, La Vecchia, about 400 meters above sea level, is about fifty years old and just above Castelnuovo dell’Abate, in an area with soil rich in iron, magnesium and manganese. The soil from this vineyard imparts a unique mineral component to the fruit. The deep and developed root system ensures grapes with intense character and complexity.

Le Vigne Basse

Our newest addition to the estate resides in the middle area of Localitá Le Due Porte, giving us vines from the top of the hill all the way to the base. The change in altitude and exposure provides an enviable mix of soils and sun for the most comprehensive expression in the grapes themselves. With nearly 5 hectares under vine, this parcel boasts nearly perfect galestro soil and a more southern exposure. The fruit is characterized by both more fruit and more structure than the higher parcels, with increased minerality from the soil composition. We expect this complexity to be a great contribution to the wine.

Introducing Il Palazzone 595

Cultivation has finally begun on our new, high altitude vineyard! Situated just above and behind the cantina, this vineyard enjoys very high altitude - more or less 600 meters above sea level. The landscape design calls for three upper terraces with natural stone walls built using the stones excavated from the site itself , and two lower parcels, also reinforced with the same natural stone walls. The west southwest exposures are perfect to take advantage of the afternoon sun and Mediterranean winds. We will plant just under 2.5 hectares, 100% Sangiovese. An exercise in patience and planning, we expect to harvest the first grapes in 5 years, which means the wines will be in the glass in just 10 short years! We will keep you posted on progress as the baby vines take root.

OUR CELLAR

The cantina was opened in October 2012. The style of the cellar adheres to the local architectural tradition, reminiscent of a chapel amongst the vineyards, and combines contemporary architecture, cultural tradition and environmental sustainability.

The design minimizes our carbon footprint and has as small an impact on the environment as possible. Green initiatives that we were able to incorporate into the cellar include recovering rainwater for irrigating the gardens, reducing the amount of thermal energy required, utilizing a dynamic air exchange system, using recycled bricks for the roof and the walls, and sourcing all the stone for the landscaping from an on-site quarry.

As the vineyard continues to grow, we continue to update and adjust cellar operations. In 2023, we installed new cement fermentation tanks and expanded the aging room to accommodate our growth.We continue to invest in new harvest and fermentation equipment as production expands.

Meet the Team

  • Kirsten and Peter Kern

    Owners

    Kirsten and Peter are from the US. They have travelled extensively in Tuscany and Italy for the past 30+ years, culminating in the fulfillment of their dream to own a vineyard in Montalcino. Kirsten has worked in the culinary and wine world for many years, both as a chef and teacher. Peter has worked in media and travel for the majority of his career. Together, they share a passion for wine and food, as well as a desire and determination to continue to contribute to and support the legacy of Brunello. They have two sons.

  • Tullia Abi Zima Battaglia

    Estate Manager

    Tullia is our estate manager since 2022. Having worked in the wine business in Montalcino since 2006, she is uniquely positioned to manage all aspects of the estate, from grapes to wine, to sales to visits and everything in between. Her passion for her work is clear in all aspects of the vineyard, thriving and growing under her leadership. She lives in Montenero d’Orcia with her husband and son.

  • Paola B. Martino

    Cellar Master

    Paola has been with us since 2019. Her dedication to constantly improving the quality of the wine has proved invaluable to the growth and position of the vineyard, and she continues to lead us in best practices in every aspect of wine-making. She earned a degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of Pisa in 2005 and has worked in Montalcino since then. She lives in Montalcino with her husband and two children.

  • Maurizio Castelli

    Consultant Winemaker

    Born in Milan and long-term resident in Tuscany, Maurizio has been working as an enological consultant since the 1980s. He has ongoing projects in both Chile and California. He and his team also oversee the agronomical side of our operations since what happens in the vineyards is crucial to the quality of our wines.