A jewel of Tuscany
Creating a new winery with just grazing land and a dilapidated house posed a big challenge. What’s more, the area’s potential for high quality winegrowing was still being explored. Believing that the soil and climate called for international grape varieties to best express the sense of place, they planted their first 27 hectares of vineyards between 2001 and 2004. While preparing the soil, Gemma and Paolo came across huge calcarenite boulders estimated to be up to 60 million years old. These were carefully extracted from the ground and placed around the estate, where they stand today as “guardians” of Tenuta Monteti and are illustrated on the labels as their emblem.
Gemma and Paolo have paid great attention to detail in creating their winery, which merges seamlessly with its environment. The 3,000m2 winery and cellar literally blends into the landscape as two-thirds of it is located underground. It was designed to use gravity throughout the winemaking process, from grape selection to bottling, while also providing natural air conditioning. The surrounding garden, the work of Gemma’s green thumbs, is awash with native plant species and has an enchanting collection of roses.
The winery vinifies three Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) Tuscan wines: two reds and a Rosé that each represent a different part of the varied landscape. Monteti embodies the forests and huge rocks, Caburnio the Mediterranean vegetation and TM Rosé, the light and gentle sea breezes. The estate takes its name from the Monteti hill that protects the vineyards, which lie at an average altitude of 145 metres above sea level. The vineyard soils consist of clay and have a complex, rocky structure that ensures good drainage and preserves freshness and moisture in the roots of the vines.
Gemma and Paolo’s daughter, Eva Baratta, and her husband Javier Pedrazzini have run the winery together since 2010 with the utmost respect for nature and the environment. A winery visit is the perfect way to discover this unspoiled region in southwestern Tuscany. Eva and Javier are setting up a conceptual guesthouse for wine enthusiasts to enjoy a luxury break onsite. Wine workshops such as ‘Make your own blend’ are planned. The grand Tuscan villa is located at the foot of the Monteti hill, surrounded by olive trees and vines. It has six bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bathroom, as well as a large pool. The 12-kilometre sandy beach of Capalbio, protected by dunes, is just a 10-minute drive from the estate. It is little wonder that those in the know, from famous film makers to Italy’s political elite, like to escape to this picturesque and private corner of Tuscany.
