This is a simple statement that does not begin to convey the state of ruin in which he found the property. The only thing intact was the potential. There were a couple of old contadini (peasant farmers) living in the house - no heating, hot water or cooking, just an open fire. The olive groves were in disarray and a lot of vineyard needed planting and sorting out. In 1997 he moved in and looked forward to becoming a winegrower, in fact Montalcino`s first organic winegrower. He still lives in that house and he still lives very simply.

Francesco isn`t a native of Montalcino but he does love the traditions, though likes a spot of Cabernet and makes tiny amounts - about four barriques - every year. However he is fantastically dedicated to the purity and authenticity of Brunello di Montalcino. This led him to leave the Consorzio of Brunello di Montalcino after they dealt so poorly, in his opinion, with the `Brunellogate` scandal a few years ago. With Pian dell’Orino and Stella di Campalto he set up the alternative SPA Sangiovese per amico. All in all a dedicated Brunello estate making extremely fine and Burgundy styled wine. (CW 29/01/15)