Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Pieve Makes Its Debut

The first vintage of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Pieve, a new premium tier category of Montepulciano’s legendary DOCG red wine, made its debut at Anteprime Toscana 2025 held February 14-21. Pieve refers to the twelve historic parish churches within Montepulciano: Ascianello, Badia, Caggiole, Cerliana, Cervognano, Gracciano, Le Grazie, San Biagio, Sant’Albino, Sant’Ilario, Valardegna, and Valiano.

Nobile di Montepulciano Pieve wines are intended to reflect the distinct territory and tipicity of each parrish/pieve. Regulations require grapes to be sourced exclusively within the designated pieve zone. Vineyards must be at least 15 years old, and there are maximum yield requirements. .

The varietal composition requires a minimum of 85% Sangiovese (also known in the Montepulciano region as Prugnolo Gentile). The remaining percentage must be an indigenous Tuscan variety such as Cannaiolo or Colorino. Pieve wines must be aged a minimum of three years in barrel with at least one year in wooden barrel and one year in bottle. Maximum alcohol by volume must be 13%.

In comparison, a Vino Noble di Montepulciano Normale requires 70% Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile) and Varietal composition and two years ageing with one in barrel. Vino Nobile Riserva di Montepulciano requires at least three years of aging.

The 2021 vintage marks the first Nobile di Montepulciano Pieve DOCG wines. According to the Consorzio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a 2021 harvest marked by extraordinary weather shifts including wide temperature fluctuations in the Spring months and lower rainfall -delivered a vintage is characterized by “intense aromas dominated by ripe fruit and a remarkable structure characterized by abundant tannins and good acidity.” The Consorzio estimates these wines will comprise about 10% of total production for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine which is close to 600,000 bottles per year.

 

A region whose red wines have been prized for centuries, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano obtained its Denomination di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) designation in 1980 making it the first in Italy to attain this status.

We tasted a few Pieve wines during Anteprime Toscana and again in May when we returned to Montepulciano for a two-night stay at Villa Svetoni, a luxury wine resort. Our visit included a tour of Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano, which is the oldest and largest wine cooperative in Tuscany, established in 1937 and now with 400 members. Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano has 1000 hectares of which 500 are dedicated to grapes to produce Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The main tasting room is a multi-level glass enclosed structure built over a network of old cellars.

We tasted a selection of wines of Cantina del Rei, which has been a hallmark brand of Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano since 1988. Cantina del Redi produces cru wines of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Here are the two Pieve wines we tasted. Both are sourced from Pieves in the southeastern region of the appellation with nutrient-rich loamy soils consisting of sand, silt, clay and other organic matter.

Cantina del Redi Pieve Sant’Ilario Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021, 87% Sangiovese, 13% Cannaiolo sourced from 51-year-old vines. The wine is aged 18 months in large wood barrels and another 14 months in bottle. This wine had dried cherry, balsam, moss and mushroom notes.

Cantina dei Redi Pieve Cervognano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2021, 100% Sangiovese sourced from 18-year-old vines. The wine is aged 18 months in large wood barrels and another 14 months in bottle. This wine had a lighter style with dried cherry and balsamic notes.

At Villa Svetoni we also tasted a Pieve Cerognano 2021, also 100% Sangiovese, which has similar dried cherry and balsamic notes as the Cantina del Redi Cervognano.

More information on Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano can be found at this website.