The Poggio Mandorlo Project began as a dream of longtime friends Roberto, Felice, Giuseppe and Fabio. With the common goal of exploring and promoting their beloved land, they decided in 2001 to fulfill this dream of growing and producing their own wines. With the guidance of the world renowned winemaker Roberto Cipresso, Poggio Mandorlo Wine Estate, located in Seggiano, Localita Ansidonina, at the foot of the extinct volcano Monte Amiata, became a reality. At present our winemaker is Mr. Paoletti Filippo, known as a “father” of some top quality Brunellos. Poggio Mandorlo Wine Estate is located inside the Montecucco DOC area, at the crossroads of Val d’Orcia and the outposts of Maremmas’ hilly region. This 94 acre estate, 30 acres of which are cultivated with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese grape- vines, also has approximately 3 acres of olive groves. The territory has a complex clay and limestone marl soil, rich in quartz and flint, with a predominant content of tufa and galestro in the higher slope levels. The 1300 foot mountain behind the vineyards, and the surrounding woods offer conditions that give the grapes a particular freshness which is maintained until the wine is bottled. The constant ventilation throughout the year is important in having wholesome grapes. The temperature variance between day and night enhances the ability of the grapes to mature properly. Only grapes grown in Poggio Mandorlo vineyards are used to produce our entire family of premium wines. Here at Poggio Mandorlo, vineyards were planted at different times and utilized selected and rare Merlot and Cabernet Franc clones which originate in Saint-Emilion (the Bordeaux region), and acclimated to our Italian climate under the supervision of an expert horticulturalist. The Sangiovese clones originate from Montalcino. With all the care and love we afford our grapes, you can be assured that Poggio Mandorlo wines offer elegant and delicate cha- racter with a strong structure and bold intensity. The two Montecucco Sangiovese doc, the genuine “Il Guardiano” and the more complex “La Querce” have long been appreciated as value and racy style wines. Poggio Mandorlo and Ombre have received awards from both Italian and International experts and most wine magazines rank them as Super Tuscans of a superior quality. Our wine cellar was designed to enclose the entire 16,000 plus square foot building into the surrounding hilly landscape. A minimum environmental impact was a must for the team of architects who designed the three levels of the wine cellar. Local materials were recycled from the vineyards excavation work and have been used in parts of the vineyards and the cellars stone walls. The winemaking area follows the principles of modern enology with state of the art equipment, necessary in obtaining the excellence Poggio Mandorlo wines are known for.