In the rolling hills south of Montalcino, the Montecucco wine region has been quietly cultivating a reputation for elegance, longevity, and terroir-driven wines. Now, as the region celebrates a quarter century of official designation, it's stepping into the spotlight with a renewed sense of identity and achievement.
Montecucco DOC marked 25 years since its establishment with a vertical tasting held at Vinitaly 2023, led by renowned wine expert Filippo Bartolotta. Speaking at the event, Giovan Battista Basile, president of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Montecucco, reflected on the milestone: “Twenty-five years may be brief in the life of a wine, but it is significant in the life of a person.”
The Montecucco region, nestled just south of the famed Brunello-producing Montalcino, spans approximately 500 hectares of vineyards. The area is largely planted with Sangiovese, Tuscany’s noble grape, although other varieties such as Merlot and Vermentino also play supporting roles in local blends. These hillside vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate and diverse soils, producing wines that are expressive and structured, with an impressive aging potential.
The celebration of this silver anniversary isn’t just confined to last year. The festivities will continue in 2025, marking 25 years since the foundation of the Consorzio itself. A major event is scheduled for February 20, 2025, at L’Altra Toscana — a prestigious tasting showcase to be held at Florence’s Palazzo degli Affari. There, 33 labels from Montecucco will be poured alongside other lesser-known but equally intriguing Tuscan designations, including Vin Santo di Carmignano and IGT Toscana.
For Basile and the producers of Montecucco, events like L’Altra Toscana are vital. “It’s a chance to share our story with journalists and wine professionals,” he said, “and to communicate the value and tradition of a territory that still holds many surprises. We offer different vintages selected by each producer based on stylistic expression and the natural longevity of our wines.”
That longevity is one of Montecucco’s standout characteristics — the wines evolve gracefully over time, often reaching their peak years after bottling. Many producers intentionally release wines that have already benefited from extended aging, giving consumers the chance to experience them at their most expressive phase.
As the celebrations continue, Montecucco also has reasons to raise a glass to the present. The 2024 harvest delivered a welcome boost to the region’s production figures. According to data from the Consorzio, grape deliveries to the cellar increased by a striking 41% compared to the previous year. The total yield in 2024 reached 17,924 quintals — or roughly 1.79 million kilograms of grapes.
This rise in volume comes as a relief following several challenging seasons marked by climate fluctuations and yield instability. Bottlings of Montecucco’s DOC and DOCG wines also rose, up 10% year-on-year to approximately 720,000 standard 75cl bottles.
Basile sees the uptick in production as a sign of resilience and long-term potential. “Finally, a vintage that allows us to catch our breath,” he said. “It brings satisfaction and renewed optimism for the future of our appellation. The growth confirms the strength of our land and the production choices of our winemakers — choices that increasingly prioritize quality and sustainability.”
Montecucco’s evolution over the last 25 years reflects the broader transformation of Tuscany’s wine scene: a blend of innovation, tradition, and a growing global reputation for excellence beyond the better-known names. As the region matures, its wines — much like its vines — continue to root themselves deeper in quality, heritage, and promise.