HISTORY

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Col d’Orcia is a piece of the history of Brunello and of Montalcino, written by the Marone Cinzano family since 1973.

Each generation of the Cinzano family has pursued a constant quest for quality through innovation and research, as told by the long history that stretches from Renaissance cordials and spirits to Vermouth, sparkling wines, and today Brunello di Montalcino.

A Century of Brunello

From the first bottles of Brunello produced in the 1930s to the creation of a brand that has become iconic throughout the world.

In the early 1930s, the Fattoria di Sant’Angelo in Colle presented three vintages of its Brunello at the first Italian Wine Exhibition in Siena. In 1973, the Marone Cinzano family purchased the estate, planting new vineyards and consolidating the production of quality wines. Over more than 50 years, Col d’Orcia has made a decisive contribution to writing important chapters in the history of a wine that has become a symbol of Made in Italy around the world. Today, under the leadership of Count Francesco Marone Cinzano, Col d’Orcia is the third-largest producer of Brunello di Montalcino and an iconic brand worldwide.

1929

ALBERTO MARONE CINZANO

Count Alberto Marone Cinzano was born, becoming the true driving force behind the history of Col d’Orcia and beyond. He was the first major entrepreneur to believe in and invest in Brunello di Montalcino, laying the foundations for a phenomenon that, within just two decades, would gain international recognition and establish itself among the world’s great wines.

1933

BRUNELLO

The Fattoria di Sant’Angelo in Colle presents its Brunello at the “First Market Exhibition of Typical Italian Wines,” held at the Fortezza Medicea.

1958

THE BIRTH OF COL D’ORCIA

Heirs Leopoldo and Stefano Franceschi divide the family estate into two: “Il Poggione” and “Col d’Orcia” are thus established.

1973

THE MARONE CINZANO FAMILY

Stefano Franceschi, without heirs, puts Col d’Orcia up for sale. The dossier reaches the Turin offices of Cinzano: Count Alberto Marone Cinzano decides to invest in a territory that was then off the map—such as Montalcino—and in a wine, Brunello, which still represented a niche market.

1974

POGGIO AL VENTO

The Poggio al Vento vineyard is planted, from which, in the best vintages, our iconic Riserva is produced.

1983

ROSSO DI MONTALCINO DOC

Thanks to the commercial insight and political effort of Count Alberto Marone Cinzano, Rosso di Montalcino is granted DOC status.

1989

RESEARCH

Collaboration begins with the Department of Horticulture of the University of Florence: the first structured partnership between a Montalcino winery and a university.

1990

THE BARREL CELLAR

Col d’Orcia’s ageing cellar is inaugurated; it still houses the large Slavonian and Allier oak casks where Brunello waits to be bottled.

1992

SECOND GENERATION

Count Francesco Marone Cinzano takes the helm of Col d’Orcia.

2010

SUSTAINABILITY

The conversion to fully organic management of the estate begins.

2013

THE ORGANIC HARVEST

The year of certification—and therefore of the first organic harvest.