Producer
Gianni Brunelli
Having enjoyed over 10 years of success as restaurateurs in Sienna, Gianni Brunelli returned home to Montalcino with his wife Laura. In 1987, following the death of his father, Gianni bought back the family’s old property – Le Chiuse di Sotto – a modest-sized farm northeast of Montalcino, split evenly between sangiovese vines and olive groves. Together, Gianni and Laura fast gained a reputation for producing some of the most impressive Brunellos of the region, expanding their estate with the purchase of nearby Podernovone in the mid-1990s. It is from this 4.5-hectare property that their exceptional Brunello and Rosso wines are made, as well as the merlot-based Amor Costante. The Brunellis have always been fervent exponents of organic viticulture, steering clear of the use of herbicides and chemicals, with the belief that a conscientious hands-on approach in the vineyard is key to producing high-quality wines; yields are deliberately kept low, and the grapes are hand-harvested in order to guarantee the quality of fruit.
Sadly, Gianni passed away unexpectedly in 2008, however Laura continues to uphold her husband’s philosophy of winemaking, while bringing her own distinctive style to the wines. Due to their lightness and elegance, Laura’s wines are superb from an early age, however they are more than capable of matching the best when it comes to ageing.
