The Single Vineyards Project at Avignonesi Reveals Identity and Character in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

The wines of Avignonesi, located in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Toscana, remain some of my favorites. Several weeks ago, I engaged in an enlightening horizontal tasting of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2018 from the winery’s Single Vineyards Project with Matteo Giustiniani, CEO and winemaker, and Alessio Gorini, COO and Agronomist. The wines of Sangiovese, sent to me in a tasting kit, reflected unique characteristics of each of four single vineyards.

Avignonesi is named after the original founders of the estate, established in 1974. In 2009, Virginie Saverys, Belgian native and former attorney, became the new owner. One of her goals is “to produce heathy wine for healthy people” and to “keep the land for future generations.” She firmly believes that sustainability is the foundation to making good wine. Virginie has stated, “Earning our B Corp. Certification is a testament to our team’s endeavours to craft superb wines while paying particular attention to social progress, environmental protection and the mitigation of climate disruption. Even with positive and tangible results, we must remain humble and unwavering in the face of the overwhelming task to be accomplished in environmental preservation.”

The Avignonesi wines enhance the richness and elegance of the Montepulciano heritage. Sangiovese wines have been produced for centuries here, and the fascination that lies around this appellation is elevated by the ”back to basics, no un-natural intervention” approach that biodynamic viticulture entails. This methodology and the passion shared by all staff for producing high quality products, due to the profound belief in the values shared by the management team, allows us to respect the innate character of each wine by following its natural journey from the soil to the cellar and, finally to the glass! Avignonesi

Currently, Avignonesi is comprised of 680 acres which includes over 457 acres of vineyards plus a state-of-the-art winemaking facility in Montepulciano. Matteo explained that most vineyards are in the Nobile appellation where Sangiovese, some Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are cultivated. Other vineyards are found in the Cortona appellation where white varieties such as Chardonnay and Bordeaux varieties including Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown. 42 acres of replanted native varieties are also found there. The climate in the area is influenced by northeast winds resulting in hot, dry days and cold nights. Soil is sedimentary with clay/sand and calcareous/limestone elements that help produce “easy drinking or complex wines.” Production is at 500K – 600K bottles/year.

Avignonesi – The Single Vineyards Project

Approximately 1000-1500 bottles produced each year, as a result of Avignonesi’s Single Vineyard Project, are meant to “reveal each parcel’s identity and character.” During my tasting of four wines of Sangiovese from four specific vineyards and one wine that was a blend of the parcels, I began to understand the distinct expressions of what the area offers. All wines are vinified in the same manner.

The single vineyards represent the Sangiovese characteristic from which their Nobile is made. Matteo shared that the project is “an interaction between variety, people, expectations. Sangiovese is very finicky and expresses vast differences depending on where it’s grown. It’s delicate and sensitive and needs sunshine, wind and water in the soil.” He continued. “In 2018, there wasn’t a lot of rain – there was some rain in spring. The growing season was warm and a variation of temperature during harvest was noted.”

 

Sips of wine from the Poggetto di Sopra vineyard were elegant and graceful with ripe cherries, lavender, sweet spice, floral and mint notes. Matteo felt that it best represents the appellation. The Oceano vineyard offered powerful and intense notes of earth, scrubs, black cherries, violets, roses and minerality whereby the wine from Le Badelle was fresh and balanced with strong aromas and flavors of blueberries, cherries and black fruit. Located 380 feet above sea level, altitude is the main characteristic of the Le Badelle vineyard. One of the coolest vineyards, La Banditella, faces north with deep soils and less limestone that the other parcels. With high acidity, notes of green tea, black fruit, raspberries and lingering finish, Matteo felt that this wine is mostly Chianti in style and “is less representative of the appellation.”

The final wine was a fascinating blend of all parcels. Garnet with flecks of red, aromas of red berries, bright cherries and hint of violets wafted from the glass. On the palate, herbs, plums and cherries were dominant and rested on a frame of strong tannins and vibrant acidity. Clearly, the wine has the potential to age for years to come.

 

Avignonesi is certified organic by Suolo e Salute, certified biodynamic with Biodyvin, registered with The Vegan Society and certified ISO 45001 by SGS. It’s proud of its status as a Certified B Corporation that honors those that are “part of the global movement for an inclusive equitable, and regenerative economic system.” The wines I tasted truly reflect Avignonesi’s harmony with nature.

Cheers! ~ Cindy

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NOTE: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has a storied history in Italy, and it was the wine of choice for many prominent figures throughout Italian history, including members of the Medici family. However, this area has been overlooked. Now, vineyards like Avignonesi are helping to restore the reputation of the wine by working to build a more sustainable and safer environment for wine production in Italy. Avignonesi is a member of the Consorszio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano which is an organization that is dedicated to promoting the image of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano throughout Italy and the rest of the world. With 270 current members, the Consorzio recognizes the importance of protecting Italian history and the role that wine has played in it.