Our Estate

All great single grape varietals are at their heart defined by terroir, microclimate, and the natural influences that impact the grapes.  At Il Palazzone, we have carefully curated our vineyards to give us the broadest latitude to produce classic, old-school Brunello with balance, brightness, and complexity, approachable in youth, but with the character and backbone to age for years into the greatest expression of this unique place.

The majority of our vineyards lie on the hill of Le Due Porte, which rises from a valley at roughly 400 meters above sea level to its apex over 600 meters.  It has a largely westerly disposition.  The terroir itself goes from Pietraforte at the higher levels to Galestro at lower altitudes, creating superior drainage and forcing the hardy vines to work for their water. Le Due Porte also enjoys the well-known Tramontana wind and is surrounded largely by bosco (forest).  With the high altitude, wind and bosco, the hill enjoys a unique microclimate with some of the largest diurnal changes in all of Brunello and rarely ever sees the baking heat which has become more prevalent in the low lying valleys of Montalcino.  

Our concentration of high-altitude vineyards on Le Due Porte, along with some very select parcels in other areas of Montalcino, which lend increased elements of clay, salinity and fruit, allows us to create our signature elegance, along with the brightness, balance and complexity which are foundational to making traditional Brunello.  We  primarily vinify each parcel separately and blend them throughout the aging period before bottling. Through vineyard selection, agronomy and meticulous work in our cellar we continue our commitment to creating classic Brunello di Montalcino d.o.c.g. of exceptional quality, reflecting our unique and special location. 

OUR VINEYARDS

Le Due Porte

The crown jewel of our estate, our cru vineyard Vigna Le Due Porte, surrounds the cellar at 540 metres above sea level. Thanks to the altitude, the surrounding forest, and the northwest exposition, grapes from this vineyard benefit from excellent ventilation and some of the most pronounced diurnal temperature variation in Montalcino. The soil is Pietraforte Arenaria, a type of local sandstone with a significant proportion of Galestro for improved drainage.  The altitude, soil and forest work together to provide optimum conditions for the grapes to develop full character with well-rounded tannins while keeping the sugar content low, delivering an unparalleled complexity on both the nose and palate.  The Cru “Vigna Le Due Porte” is our purest expression of high altitude Sangiovese. We preserve roughly 50% of  these special grapes to go into our Annata. 

Vigna del Capa

The Vigna del Capa parcels are situated close the hamlet of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, southwest of Montalcino. Around 325 to 375 msl the land is gently sloped with northeast and southwest exposition. Sand, clay and silt in equal proportions make up the soil surrounding significant pietra, as well as fine gravel and a pronounced presence of marine fossils. The fruit is distinguished by complex saline and aromatic components derived from the ancient sea. This is our warmest area, which produces more forward fruit and body, but the proximity to the river and the surrounding trees provide cooling winds protect it from too much heat and ensure wide diurnal shifts.

Le Vecchie

Our older parcels, comprising Scalone Vecchia, planted in 1975, Cuspide, planted in 1985 and La Vecchia, planted in 1977, total just over 3 hectares of very special old vines. Each individual vineyard offers slight variations in soil, exposure and altitude, ranging from about 350 msl to 450 msl, with unique mineral components and characteristics that reflect the years of work each vine has put in. The deep and developed root system ensures grapes with intense character and complexity.  Vines with this much experience produce more highly developed grapes, with more defined attributes and a more complete profile. Although older vines generally deliver fewer grapes, the wine created from them offers truly extraordinary depth and maturity.

Le Vigne Basse

With an enviable position on the middle of the Le Due Porte hill, Le Vigne Basse encompasses vineyards from roughly 350 meters to 500 meters above sea level.  At over 6 hectares under vine, this parcel boasts perfect Galestro soil and a more southern exposure still surrounded by forest. These berries are characterized by both more fruit presence and more structure than the higher parcels, with increased minerality from the soil composition.  The change in altitude provides an enviable mix of soils , providing ideal drainage and nurturing the root systems as they burrow deep toward the water table.  The work of the vine to access the nutrients brings roundness and softness to the palate, yet still with significant depth and subtlety.  This largest parcel delivers a variety of berries to create the backbone of every vintage.

Il Palazzone 595 Update

Our newest vines are truly taking hold and reaching for greatness after their second year! Situated just above the cantina and our special cru vineyard, this vineyard enjoys especially high altitude, reaching just over 600 meters above sea level. Il Palazzone 595 reflects our strong conviction that the best way to preserve the elegance and balance of the great wines of Brunello’s past is to go higher.  This vineyard, left 30 years ago to go to seed because it was too cold to grow quality Sangiovese, is now coming into its prime.  The traditional hillside design includes three upper terraces with natural stone walls built using the stones excavated from the site itself, and two lower sloped parcels, also reinforced with the same natural stones. The west southwest exposures take advantage of the afternoon sun and Mediterranean winds, while the surrounding bosco keeps the vines cool all night. We have planted just under 2.5 hectares, 100% Sangiovese, with clones ranging from the precious BS1 to modern clones researched and designed for the soil, altitude and exposure. An exercise in patience and planning, we expect to harvest the first grapes in just three more years, which means the wines will be in the glass in 2033!  We will keep you posted on progress…

OUR CELLAR

The “new” cantina was completed in October 2012. Designed to adhere to historical Tuscan architecture, the building combines cultural tradition and environmental sustainability with contemporary features, minimizing our carbon footprint while contributing to the seamless integration of old and new architecture. In addition to sourcing our stone on-site and using recycled brick,  we were able to incorporate rainwater recovery for irrigating the gardens, to reduce the amount of thermal energy required,  and to utilize a dynamic air exchange system.

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. With the growth of hectares under vine, both the fermentation room and the aging cellar are currently undergoing renovation to accommodate the increased volume while still respecting the original exterior and enviromental features.

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.