The La Gerla wine estate has established itself as one of the great crùs in Montalcino, in the heart of Tuscany. Owner Sergio Rossi was the director of three European advertising agency offices and was used to travelling for work and to losing sleep over ad lay-outs and jingles.

These days, he is almost an “ilcinese” (nickname for the people of Montalcino) and he loves his vineyards as if they were children. The vivacious Rossi has succeeded in creating a small crù in Montalcino where the most modern technology is combined with local and traditional know-how.

The La Gerla farmhouse was once the property of the Biondi Santi family who used it to make one of the most renowned Brunellos in the area. Sergio Rossi purchased the property in 1976 and restructured it, combining both new and old in the cellars and vineyards.

The 2003 Brunello di Montalcino was made of 100% Sangiovese Grosso grapes (the “Brunello” strain), from vines with an average age of 25 years, grown in the two separate vineyards of the estate that flank the hillsides below the town of Montalcino. After a traditional fermentation and maceration of 15 days, the wine was aged for four years, of which three were in large Slovenian oak casks – the traditional manner – and then eight months in bottle before release. Enjoy!

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