Tenuta Val di Falco, Toscana

Originally from South Tyrol, winegrower Rainer Loacker has found a second home here in southern Tuscany. The estate Val di Falco is bordered by the Aurelia road to the south, the La Selva vineyards to the east, extensive woodland to the north and around two hectares of its neighbour Fusini's vineyards to the west. It rises beautifully towards small hills, where 12 hectares of vines were planted among olive trees in spring 2000.

Valdifalco has a distinctly Mediterranean climate: very hot, dry summers, sheltered from the sea by the Uccellina hills. It produces very full-bodied wines from grapes harvested in late August and early September. The red, iron-rich clay soil, with Galestro characteristics at higher altitudes, promises conditions in places comparable to Bolgheri. Low rainfall also strongly supports the future visions that inspire Loacker. A new cellar was built in 2001-2002.

As many peoples have left their mark here since ancient times, and falcons in particular explored the area in the Middle Ages, this winery was given the name Valdifalco. It lies between Alberese and Collecchio, in the municipality of Magliano in Toscana (Grosseto).