Soldera

Uncompromising, opinionated, controversial and hyper-self-critical, Gianfranco Soldera is as legendary as his wines. Naturally, his success didn’t happen by mistake. Treviso-born, Milan-raised, he – along with his wife Graziella - actively sought out somewhere to make the world’s greatest wine.

In 1972, they found their paradise with the abandoned Case Basse estate in the southwestern quadrant of the Brunello di Montalcino appellation. Surrounded by forest, the property expands over the soft hills, interspersed with stately cypresses, gnarly olive trees and an extensive botanical garden. With an intrinsic respect for nature, Gianfranco was at the forefront of promoting biodiversity, long before it entered mainstream consciousness.

He found a friend and mentor in the late, great Sangiovese master Giulio Gambelli who consulted at Soldera for over three decades. Gianfranco also looked to scientific research to challenge his strong convictions. This has led to countless studies and advancements at the estate particularly in response to climate change.

While there were separate bottlings in the past, just one single wine is produced today - a maximum of 20,000 bottles from 10 hectares (though in some years as few as 10,000). Long aged in well-seasoned Slavonian oak casks, it was declared as Brunello until Soldera famously withdrew from the denomination in 2013. Nevertheless, this unicorn wine continues to serve as a benchmark well beyond the region. It is admired for its haunting perfume, precision, profundity and impossible balance of powerful concentration and finesse, all at eye-watering prices.

Since Gianfranco’s sudden passing in February 2019, his children Monica and Mauro along with their spouses continue to craft wine with the same exacting standards, reverence for nature and commitment to research.