Podere Salicutti, Tuscany

Salicutti is the name of a small stream marking the estate's southern boundary and giving it its name. The estate was first mentioned in a document from the early 18th century. Francesco Leanza lived in Rome and worked as a chemist. Then he fulfilled a long-held dream: in 1990 he bought the podere. An elderly farming couple still lived there without electricity and with wood-fired heating, but they had long been unable to farm the land. In 1992, Mr Leanza began restoring the olive groves and modernising the buildings. In 1994 he planted vines, in 1995 he renovated the farm buildings, and finally, in 1997, he moved there permanently. His next project was to establish an agriturismo, and this dream has since become reality too. Surrounded by olive trees and vines, the farm sits like an ancient theatre. Across the broad, hilly scrubland, olive groves and vineyards extending towards the Val d'Orcia, the distinctive former volcano Monte Amiata can be made out. Beside the owner's house and wine cellar stands the guest house, with two attractive holiday apartments accommodating four to seven guests. Podere Salicutti is an ideal base for excursions into the Parco della Val d'Orcia and the province of Siena.

As a relative novice in winemaking, Mr Leanza did exactly the right thing: from the outset, he sought advice and support from one of the region’s finest oenologists. Their first Rosso in 1996 was already very successful, perhaps a little unpolished but full of character. Since then, obtaining some of its excellent successors has been difficult. The holdings are small, and the new vineyards are only gradually beginning to bear fruit. The Brunello is a hit, while the classic Rosso di Montalcino is also impressive!