February 28th: Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona with Alex Bianchini
At Vinonueva | 5582 NE 4th Ct, Miami, FL, 33137 | 6:30 pm-8:00 pm | RSVP
GUEST LIST CLOSED
In partnership with Indigenous Selections
Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona's story sounds straight out of a movie. It includes a hard-working farmer, a rich countess, a bishop’s palace dating back to the Seventeenth Century, stunning Italian countryside setting and some of the world's best wine.
Interested in learning how the story goes? Alex Bianchini will lead us in a tasting featuring six wines from this renowned Tuscan producer.
BACKGROUND
In the 1980s, Giuseppe Bianchini was the farmer and estate manager of Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona. The owner was countess Elda Ciacci, widow of count Alberto Piccolomini d'Aragona. For years, Giuseppe worked tirelessly keeping the estate running like clockwork and had always wanted to plant vineyards to produce quality Brunello but the countess wasn’t interested and the estate made wine only for its own and a little local consumption.
The countess died without heirs in 1985 and left her entire estate to Giuseppe, his wife Anna, and children Paolo and Lucia. Suddenly the Bianchinis found themselves owners of a 220-hectare estate in the southeast of Montalcino, close to the medieval village of Castelnuovo dell'Abate and with the Orcia river to the south. With the help of his children, Giuseppe set about making his dream a reality, transforming the historic property and its majestic palazzo into a leading wine estate producing world-class expressions of Sangiovese.
Giuseppe and wife Anna
Photo credit: Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona
Giuseppe Bianchini passed away in 2004. Today, the brother-and-sister team, Paolo and Lucia, run the estate. Paolo has continued his father’s winemaking philosophy of quality over quantity and sees Ciacci as a mere newcomer.
Most recently Paolo's son Alex and daughter Ester have joined the family business. Alex works in the winery and is learning to become 'the future winemaker' of Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona.
TERROIR & WINEMAKING
Roughly 55.5 hectares are under vine. The setting is the classic rustic landscape of Tuscany: rolling hills, forests, sun-soaked pastures, and quaint farmhouses. The estate is home to several vineyards, most of which are planted with the local varietal Sangiovese. One of the most highly prized vineyards of the estate is Pianrosso, which covers 11.7 hectares. From this vineyard comes their Brunello di Montalcino' Pianrosso,' as well as their Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 'Vigna di Pianrosso' Santa Caterina d'Oro. These wines are iconic expressions of the noble Sangiovese varietal and the fabled Tuscan terroir.
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona also grows Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon in the southern area of the estate. From these varieties, they produce some pretty exciting wines, including a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot named 'Ateo.' Characterized by its vibrant herbal touches and pronounced yet balanced tannins. As well as an intense and complex 100% Syrah by the name of 'Fabivs.'
Photo credit: Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona
Check out the lineup for this tasting:
- Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Rosso Ateo Sant'Antimo 2020
- Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Rosso Fabivs Sant'Antimo 2017
- Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Rosso di Montalcino 2020
- Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino 2017
- Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso 2017
- Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Vigna di Pianrosso Riserva Santa Caterina d' Oro 2016