The territory of Montalcino: soil, climate and position of the vineyards

The production area corresponds to that of the territory of the Montalcino Township. Distributed according to the best viticulture traditions of the surroundings and admirably located in the beauty of the countryside, the estates of Montalcino provide an opportunity for pleasant wine tourism itineraries.
Passing through charming hamlets and thick woods one comes across well tended vineyards, perfectly equipped smart wineries: the pride of every farm, from the smallest to the biggest.

The production area is delimited by the valleys of the Orcia, Asso and Ombrone rivers. Its shape is almost circular with a diameter of 16 Km and a surface of 24,000 hectares.

Its economy is mainly agricultural with the vines occupying only a small part of the surface, which is divided as follows: 50% woods and fallow land; 10% olive groves, 15% vineyards, the remaining part is covered with arable land, pasture and other crops.

The hill of Montalcino, formed during different geological eras, presents ground characteristics that vary extremely in their constitution and structure, which is why it is difficult to make widespread generalizations. The lower areas are made up of fairly loose soils originating in the transport of detritus with a deep active layer of the quaternary. As one climbs, the soil becomes rich in rock fragments while the active layer diminishes since these soils were formed by the decomposition of autochthonous rocks, particularly marl and dendrite.

The climate is typically Mediterranean with rainfalls concentrated in the spring and late autumn months (annual average 700 mm.) In winter snowfalls, particularly above 400 metres are not unusual. The proximity of Monte Amiata
(altitude 1740 m.) to the Southeast provides a natural protection against exceptionally intense events such as cloudbursts or hail. The medium hill strip on which most of the wine estates are concentrated is not affected by late mists, freezing or frosts which can take place in the valleys, while the frequent presence of wind guarantees the best conditions for the health of the vines.
During the entire vegetative phase of the vine the weather is mainly mild with a large number of sunny days, which ensure a gradual and complete ripening of the clusters.

The different orientations of the slopes, the marked modulation of the hills and the varying heights between the land in the valleys and on the hill-tops (Poggio Civitella), determine very diverse micro-environmental climates, despite the extreme proximity of the areas. The most widespread growing method of the vines in Montalcino is the cordon spur, obtained by short pruning (2 buds) of a variable number of spurs per trunk.