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Wines by Valdicava |
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Valdicava
In his youth Vincenzo Abbruzzese spent
summers working at Valdicava, his grandparents’ winery
in northern Montalcino. His grandmother bought these gentle
slopes in 1953 and with her husband planted the first vines
here. However, her son left home for Siena, where Vincenzo
was born and raised. Abbruzzese cultivated an avid interest
in science and chose an engineering track when he began
his university studies in Florence.
Graduation was finally approaching in 1987
when his grandfather announced the intention to sell Valdicava;
Vincenzo’s eyes opened to a new future, and when he
left Florence for Montalcino he did not look back. Abbruzzese
was well aware of the challenges that faced him. The property
was pleading for drastic improvements and the young man
had hardly any capital of his own; but he was a dedicated
worker and promptly began a series of improvements that
would shape Valdicava into the top quality winery he envisioned.
Vincenzo’s systematic changes have
earned Valdicava a place among the elite producers of Brunello
di Montalcino. With just 10 hectares in the coldest part
of the Brunello zone, he is probably the most exacting grower
in the area, managing vegetation so that each grape will
enjoy the perfect amount of sun and mercilessly expunging
tightly packed grapes to avoid rot and diseases. He has
also rebuilt the cellar, where he replaced his grandparents’
botti with stainless steel and oak fermenters and new wood
casks for ageing. Abbruzzese’s Brunello and Brunello
Riserva are truly outstanding, while the Rosso di Montalcino
is one of the best available; and all of his bottlings consistently
demonstrate richness and excellent structure.
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