The Soldera winery was founded in the early 1970s by Gianfranco and Graziella Soldera, when they discovered the uncultivated and abandoned 23-hectare Case Basse estate in southwest Montalcino. They planted their first Sangiovese vines in 1972 on the hilly, volcanic terrain, 320 meters above sea level.
Gianfranco and Graziella’s commitment to the soil, vines, and natural winemaking processes has remained consistent throughout the years. The 100% Sangiovese vines are tended by hand; no chemicals are used in the vineyards; and grapes are harvested and selected by hand. Fermentation in large Slavonian oak vats is completely natural and spontaneous, with indigenous yeasts.
Since the 2006 vintage (released in 2013), Soldera made the conscious decision to declassify their wine from Brunello di Montalcino, when it was revealed that some producers had been accused of blending Sangiovese with grapes not permitted by the appellation. Gianfranco preferred to remove his wines from association with the appellation going forward.
Although Gianfranco passed away in February 2019, Graziella and their children, Monica and Mauro, and their partners are keeping his vision alive and continuing the tradition of thoughtful, hand-made wines of the highest quality.
