THE WINEMAKERS OF THE CONSORTIUM OF BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO SHARE THE SORROW OF THE BIONDI SANTI FAMILY
08/04/2013
“One of the symbols of the quality and excellence of Italian wine worldwide has passed away. Beyond doubt, he was one of the most important advocates of the success of Brunello di Montalcino on an international level. It is owing to him that Brunello has become one of the most renowned and appreciated Italian wine brands. In losing him, the Consortium and the entire territory have not only lost a great winemaker, but also an outstanding man of deep sensitivity and humanity. We are indebted to him and feel certain that his example and expertise will be carried on by those who will succeed him in leading the wine estate”.
Fabrizio Bindocci, Chairman of the Consortium of Brunello di Montalcino Wine, thus remembers Franco Biondi Santi, 91 years of age, director of Tenuta Greppo di Montalcino since the 70’s.
Silvio Franceschelli, Mayor of Montalcino, condoles with the Biondi Santi family and comments: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of a great man who gave so much to this territory. Thanks to him, Montalcino boasts a very high-profile image on an international level. We will always be grateful to him for having enriched the town of Montalcino”.
In 1934, his grandfather Ferruccio Biondi Santi was acknowledged by the MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) as the “inventor of Brunello”. In 1994, Decanter awarded a score of 10/10 (perfection) to the 1891 vintage, a wine that was then 103 years old. In 1999, Wine Spectator listed the 1955 Reserve among the “12 best wines produced worldwide in the 20th century”.