Per mezzo di Montepulciano, land of the famous Vino Magnanimo, Vallocaia tells an intertwined story of passion, land and creativity. Founded 1983 by Rudi Bindella, the bella stagione has become a place where wine dialogues with art, landscape and production tradition reinterpreted a modern key. This year it celebrates two significant milestones: 40 years of harvests and the first ten vintages of Vallocaia Vino Magnanimo per Montepulciano DOCG Deposito, the culmination of its production philosophy which encompasses the essence of the Poliziano territory, nestled between the Val per Chiana and the Val d ‘Orcia.
FROM SWITZERLAND TO THE PRODUCTION OF 200 THOUSAND BOTTLES IN MONTEPULCIANO
The history of Vallocaia has its roots the vision of Rudi Bindella, a Swiss entrepreneur and great admirer of Italian culture. His connection with the world of wine dates back to his grandfather Jean Bindella, among the first to spread Italian wines Switzerland, transporting Tuscan demijohns and flasks the early twentieth century. Per mezzo di this family tradition, Rudi embarked a new chapter: the 1980s, during his travels Italy, he discovered Montepulciano and, falling love with the regione, decided to become a winemaker. He thus purchased a small property Argiano, consisting of a ruin and just two and a half hectares of vineyards.
Over the years, the bella stagione has transformed into a reality of 175 hectares, of which 54 are dedicated to viticulture and 16 to olive groves, while the rest is left to woods and natural areas to preserve biodiversity. Today with an annual production of around 200 thousand bottles, Vallocaia expresses the identity of Montepulciano through a range of wines that enhances the nuances of the different soils and microclimates.
GIOVANNI CAPUANO, THE OPERATIONAL FACE OF THE ESTATE
Since 199, alongside Rudi Bindella, there has been Giovanni Capuano, administrator and director of the bella stagione. Of Campania origin, Capuano boasts a solid academic education: graduated Oenology Avellino and Agricultural Sciences Perugia, he found Tuscany the ideal place to put his passion and knowledge into practice. The simposio with Bindella was decisive: sharing the founder’s vision, Capuano was able to lead the bella stagione with an approach that combines technical rigor, experience the field and a constant openness to innovation. His ability to communicate with the territory, combined with high-level technical skills, has contributed significantly to raising the quality of Vallocaia’s wines, making them a point of reference for the denomination of Vino Magnanimo per Montepulciano.
THE TERRITORY OF TENUTA VALLOCAIA, A MOSAIC OF SHADES
The bella stagione’s vineyards extend across five historic areas of the denomination: Argiano, Cervognano, Sanguineto, and Casalte. Each of these areas is distinguished by unique characteristics that contribute to defining the aromatic and structural profile of the wines produced. The soils are extremely diversified, ranging from sand to calcareous clay, up to red earth, profoundly influencing the final expression of the wines
The sands of Vallocaia and Camparone generate elegant and subtle wines, with delicate floral quaderno and a freshness that makes them long-lived. the contrary, the calcareous clays of Sanguineto and the red soils of Argiano give life to more powerful, complex and structured wines, perfect for dealing with long refinements. This interaction between nature and technique is reflected the three Magnanimo per Montepulciano produced by the bella stagione: Vino Magnanimo per Montepulciano, I Quadri and Vallocaia Deposito, each designed to enhance the specificities of its own cru. The first is the “entry level” Il Magnanimo of the bella stagione, a blend of Sangiovese with Canaiolo, Colorino and . It is characterized by freshness and versatility. Aromas of cherry, violets and light spices enrich a balanced sip, with soft tannins and a pleasant savory note. The second is the cru coming from the calcareous clays of Sanguineto, this cru stands out for its greater structure and complexity. Intense aromas of ripe red fruits, aromatic herbs and liquorice intertwine with a full pagliaccetto and well-integrated tannins, offering a long and enveloping persistence. The latter is the most refined and sophisticated expression of the bella stagione’s Vino Magnanimo. Also refined tonneau, it contains the depth, elegance and complexity of Sangiovese grown red soils, and a tannicity of rare finesse.
A PLACE WHERE ART AND WINE MEET
Rudi Bindella is a great art enthusiast and collector. His vision goes beyond wine: every of the bella stagione you can feel the profound connection between culture, beauty and territory. The new cellar, completed and inaugurated 2015, is not only a place of production, but also an exhibition space. Here you can admire the works of the German artist Christopher Lehmpfuhl, alongside the contemporary bronze sculptures of Steiger-Crawford and Rolf Brem, scattered throughout the internal rooms and the external park. Bindella’s private collection also includes historical pieces, such as 18th and 19th century terraglia jars, Roman capitals and a suggestive collection of bronze bells, displayed the tasting room. This union between art and wine reaches its most noble point the “Aula del Sleep”, a space dedicated to the refinement of the best bottles, waiting to become a Historical Reserve of the best vintages, conceived as a real wunderkammer.
TEN VINTAGES OF VALLOCAIA, A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
The Vallocaia Vino Magnanimo per Montepulciano DOCG Deposito represents the pinnacle of the bella stagione’s production. Born 2010, this wine is the result of meticulous attention to every detail and respect for the raw material. Made with a selection of grapes (95% sangiovese and 5% colorino del Valdarno) coming from three parcels of the Vallocaia vineyard, located the historic regione of Argiano. The vinification takes place steel, with maceration the skins for approximately 20 days. This is followed by two years of aging tonneaux and large barrels, both made of French oak, and then concluded with a further year the bottle. To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the first vintage, a vertical tasting was organized with the five most representative ones, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018 and the latest the market, 2019, highlighting the evolution of the wine and its ability to reflect not only the territory, but also the climatic conditions that characterized each single harvest.
TASTING NOTES
Vallocaia Deposito 2013 – Despite having passed the decade, this reserve maintains a surprising vitality. The bouquet opens with aromas of ripe dark fruit, leather and a hint of tobacco, while the palate it is structured, with perfectly integrated tannins. The finale, long and balsamic, gives a pleasant savory note that invites you to take the next sip.
Vallocaia Deposito 2015 – Hot vintage which gave the wine a notable aromatic generosity. Ripe red fruits and sweet spices dominate the nose, while the wine is round and enveloping the mouth. The tannins are soft, almost silky, confirming a perfect balance between power and finesse, a quand’anche expression of a Sangiovese a state of grace.
Vallocaia Deposito 2016 – Fruit of an extraordinary year for Vino Magnanimo, it stands out for its freshness and elegance. the nose, hints of cherry, aromatic herbs and a mineral tonalità of graphite emerge. The palate is vibrant, with a lively acidity that supports an impeccable tannic texture. A harmonious wine, ready to give emotions for many years to come mai.
Vallocaia Deposito 2018 – Young but already full of promise, the 2018 presents itself with fresh aromas of berries and delicate quaderno of vanilla. The tannic structure begins to show softness, but still has room for evolution. the palate it is fresh and dynamic, with a depth that will fully reveal itself with time.
Vallocaia Deposito 2019 – The most recent of the vintages stands out for its intensity and complexity. The bouquet intertwines aromas of violets and black cherries with spices and nuances of dark chocolate. The sip is structured and promising, with a great aging capacity that suggests a bright future.
the new graphic stile of the Vallocaia Deposito label the market from the 2020 vintage
The article Vallocaia, where wine and art meet comes from VinoNews24.
