Situated on top of a steep hill, overlooking the Orcia valley on one side and the Chiana valley on the other, the southern Tuscan town of Montepulciano has always been of historical importance, even though it has just over 10,000 inhabitants.

The history of Montepulciano is inextricably linked to the excellence of its wine.


The earliest documented reference to Montepulciano wine actually dates back to 789 AD, when the cleric Arnipert offered the church a plot of land with vineyards on the estate of Policiano castle.

In the 16th century, the city of Montepulciano earned recognition when it became a bishopric. Throughout the 19th century, it became increasingly important as an agricultural centre. In fact, nowadays, in addition to wine, the area is also known for its pecorino cheese and Chianina beef, as well as tobacco used for producing the prestigious Toscano cigars.

By the early 20th century, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano had almost been forgotten. However, in 1933, at the first exhibition of local wines in Siena, an estate presented a noble red wine that won great acclaim. Other producers followed suit and by the 1960s, there was a concerted move towards winegrowing principally for the production of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Since the mid 1970s, Avignonesi has played a leading role in what can genuinely be called a ‘quality revolution’ in Vino Nobile, conducting extensive research and experimentation in growing Sangiovese. It has been able to pinpoint the characteristics and specific qualities which distinguish Montepulciano wines from the other well-known Tuscan Sangiovese wines, such as Brunello di Montepulciano and Chianti Classico, thereby situating Montepulciano on the map for wine lovers worldwide.

On July 1st 1980, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano became the first Italian red wine to sport the D.O.C.G. (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) neck strip. This recognition ranks it alongside the most prestigious wines in Italy and the rest of the world.






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