Terre Nere: Three Generations Crafting Brunello di Montalcino

Posted by Rowena Dumlao Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 11/05/2024

Terre Nere: Three Generations Crafting Brunello di Montalcino

Located just south of Montalcino in Tuscany, Terre Nere is a winery dedicated to sustainable viticulture and a respectful approach to tradition. Established by the Vallone family, the estate is now run by third-generation siblings Francesca and Federico Vallone, whose grandfather moved from Sicily to Montalcino in pursuit of a new life connected to the land. Francesca and Federico focus on organic vineyard practices and minimal intervention in the cellar, with each bottle reflecting the region’s distinct terroir and capturing the land’s full character with every vintage.

The Vallone Family’s Journey: From Sicily to Tuscany

The Vallone family’s story begins with Salvatore Vallone, affectionately known as “Toto,” a farmer in Sicily’s Palermo countryside. Driven by his wife Vincenza’s vision for a better life, he decided to move the family to Tuscany after their first children were born, including Pasquale. This move was encouraged by Vincenza’s brother, who, after escaping a war prison camp, found safety and new roots in Siena. Inspired by Tuscany’s rolling landscapes and agricultural potential, the Vallones bought an estate near Radi, known as "Pociano," where they raised cattle, produced cheese, and made olive oil and table wine. Toto, actively involved in local politics, devoted himself to improving village life and deepening the family’s connection to their new home. Though he passed away unexpectedly, Toto instilled in his family a passion for the land and a commitment to traditional agriculture that would guide them for generations.

Pasquale Vallone, building on his father’s agricultural knowledge, pursued a career in banking while nurturing a love for winemaking. During the 1990s, a branch transfer introduced him to Montalcino, where he developed friendships with winemakers and a deep connection to the region’s Brunello culture. In 1996, he acquired a 15-hectare plot of land south of Montalcino, seeing an opportunity to return to his roots. With his brother Gaetano as cellarman, Pasquale and his family cultivated the land, producing their first Brunello di Montalcino in 2002. Today, Pasquale’s children Francesca and Federico carry on the family legacy, leading Terre Nere with a focus on sustainable practices and respect for tradition.

The Terroir and Vineyards of Terre Nere

Terre Nere’s 15-hectare estate is located near Castelnuovo dell’Abate, an area south of Montalcino shaped by the mineral-rich soils of the long-dormant Amiata volcano. With elevations between 220 and 280 meters, the vineyard is home to a diverse range of soils, including galestro, sandstone, quartzite, and sand-rich plots. This unique terrain, combined with constant sea breezes and natural temperature regulation from the Orcia River, creates an ideal microclimate for cultivating Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Terre Nere’s organic vineyard management promotes biodiversity, using techniques such as mulching, natural fertilization, and protection of beneficial insects to maintain the ecological balance. The grapes are harvested by hand and vinified plot-by-plot in small batches, undergoing spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts. Aging takes place in large Slavonian oak barrels, which preserve each wine’s unique identity, highlighting the vineyard’s rich expression of Montalcino’s terroir under the guidance of oenologist Giuseppe Gorelli.

A Fresh Look for Terre Nere: New Labels Embracing Art, Nature, and Heritage

Terre Nere unveils a refreshed label design that bridges continuity with innovation, emphasizing the winery’s longstanding values while marking a generational shift. The updated look is crafted to honor the estate’s territorial and artisanal roots, reflecting a modern yet timeless aesthetic. “This new image is a hallmark for us, chosen to highlight the bond between art and nature,” says Francesca Vallone, who, with her brother Federico, carries on the work their father Pasquale began in the 1990s. The new design captures the untouched beauty of Terre Nere’s vineyards, set against the iconic Monte Amiata, symbolizing a harmony between landscape and craftsmanship.

Lunch at Ristorante Al Ceppo with Terre Nere Wines

Francesca and Federico Vallone hosted a tasting at Ristorante Al Ceppo in Rome, presenting Terre Nere’s four wines across two vintages each to illustrate the nuanced evolution of their Sangiovese Grosso. Guests experienced the Rosso Toscana IGT, Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, and Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, all made from estate-grown Sangiovese grapes cultivated at varying altitudes. The tasting underscored the Vallones' dedication to capturing the complexity of this varietal at different stages of aging.

The experience began with Ribelle Rosso Toscana IGT, a vibrant wine harvested from the estate’s lowest vineyards and aged in steel to preserve its fresh, fruit-forward character. Next came the Rosso di Montalcino (2020 and 2021), paired with a pumpkin flan topped with ciauscolo crumbs. Aged for six months in large Slavonian oak barrels, the Rosso displayed a ruby red color with garnet highlights, offering notes of cherry, violet, and gentle earthiness. The 2020 vintage revealed darker, more refined tones, while the 2021 showcased a fresh, robust fruitiness that complemented the flan beautifully. On the palate, it displayed youthful tannins of excellent quality and a balanced freshness, leaving a pleasantly fruity aftertaste.

The first course continued with Vincisgrassi, a traditional lasagna from Marche, accompanied by Brunello di Montalcino 2019 and 2020. Aged for three years in large Slavonian oak and at least six months in the bottle, this flagship Brunello expressed the full character of Montalcino with aromas of ripe black and red fruits, light menthol, and hints of tobacco, delivering structure, elegance, and a soft tannic texture that speaks to its aging potential.

For the main course, crispy veal with wild herbs was paired with Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016 and 2019, aged for four years in Slavonian oak and two years in the bottle. Produced only in the finest vintages, this Riserva exhibited a deep garnet color and aromas of ripe red berries, tobacco, and enveloping spices. On the palate, it offered a well-harmonized alcohol content and fine, rounded tannins, with a persistent, balanced finish. The meal concluded with a grape tart and almond gelato, a sweet finale that harmonized beautifully with the structured complexity of Terre Nere’s wines.