Wine had been made in Montecucco since the time of the Etruscans, a tradition now continued by sister and brother Maria Iris Bertarelli and Claudio Tipa. They purchased the vineyard in 1998 to be the heart of the Domaine that it was their vision to create fulfilling their dream creating a “Domaine” in Tuscany. The ColleMassari Domaine comprises today four estates: from 1998 Castello di ColleMassari, Grattamacco since 2002, the Poggio di Sotto Estate since 2011 and San Giorgio since 2017. ColleMassari produced its first vintage in 2000 and in 2014 the group was named Cellar of the Year by the prestigious and renowned Gambero Rosso guide.
The Castello ColleMassari winery is located in Cinigiano in the foothills of Monte Amiata, about 1050ft (320m) above sea level. It is about 24 miles (39km) to the north-east of Grosseto in the DOC Montecucco, which is famous for its particularly favourable micro-climate. The Castello ColleMassari is not entirely a medieval castle or a feudal seat of power. Its structure is more reminiscent of a fortified hamlet or even a grancia, a type of protected agricultural operation, founded by Cistercian monks and the Santa Maria della Scala Hospital in Siena in the 8th century. During this era, they set up an agricultural system between Siena and the Maremma that consisted of 22 grance, which helps to explain the name Massari. In the Middle Ages, the term massari or massaro referred to a representative of an agricultural organisation, an important part of which was the farmhouse was located in the centre (massa) of the area.
Grattamacco
Was founded at the end of the 70’s in the DOC area of Bolgheri where the growing of Cabernet Sauvignon in this particular region gained great popularity.The first vintage produced was 1982 as a result of blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Sangiovese.
Poggio di Sotto
Founded at the end of the 80’s and situated in the territory of Montalcino, first DOCG in Italy, and home of the famous Brunello.The first vintage produced was the 1991 harvest and within a short time the winery distinguished itself for its wines of great elegance and complexity.
Tenuta San Giorgio
Tenuta Giorgio was founded in 1982, located in Castelnuovo dell’Abate in the south-eastern part of Montalcino in a unique position, at 400 mt a.s.l at the top of a ridge. The very rst production released by Tenuta San Giorgio was the 1985 vintage.