Valdicava – Benchmark Brunello from the Northern Slopes of Montalcino

Sangiovese from Montosoli, combining depth, tension and longevity in the heart of Brunello di Montalcino

The Estate

Located in the northern part of Montalcino, within the highly esteemed subzone of Montosoli, Valdicava stands as one of the key reference estates for Brunello di Montalcino. Founded in the early 1950s by Bramante Abbruzzese, the estate entered a new era in the 1980s with the arrival of his grandson Vincenzo Abbruzzese. Under his leadership, Valdicava embraced meticulous vineyard management, strict parcel selection and a focus on purity and precision, propelling the estate to international acclaim.

A family-run property, Valdicava has earned its reputation for producing Brunello of remarkable clarity and depth. The estate’s flagship wines—including Brunello di Montalcino, the iconic Brunello Riserva Madonna del Piano, and the highly coveted Vigna Montosoli—are sought after by collectors for their power, refinement and exceptional ageing potential.

Terroir & Vineyard

The Valdicava vineyards unfold in the Val di Cava valley, on the northern slopes of Montalcino, around the celebrated hill of Montosoli—often described as one of the finest natural “crus” of the entire appellation. The estate cultivates around twenty hectares of Sangiovese, much of it forming a near-contiguous block at approximately 300 metres in elevation.

The soils are predominantly composed of galestro (friable marl), mixed with clay and limestone. This mineral, well-drained profile allows Sangiovese to develop complex aromatics and a naturally vibrant acidity, while maintaining a tight-knit tannic structure. The cooler northern climate, with its slower ripening and cooler nights, contributes to the estate’s signature profile—elegant, lifted and intensely focused wines.

The entire vineyard is planted to Sangiovese grosso, the traditional Brunello clone. Younger vines are primarily used for the Rosso di Montalcino, while the more mature, better-exposed parcels form the backbone of the Brunello, the Madonna del Piano Riserva and the Vigna Montosoli cru.

Philosophy & Viticulture

Valdicava’s philosophy is rooted in expressing the true character of Sangiovese and the distinctive terroir of Montosoli. The estate practices a thoughtful, environmentally respectful approach to viticulture, similar in ethos to organic farming: no herbicides, minimal synthetic treatments, regular soil cultivation and a constant, attentive observation of each parcel throughout the growing season.

Low yields are key to achieving the estate’s hallmark concentration and purity. Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand, with strict selection both in the vineyard and at the winery. Each parcel is vinified separately, allowing the team to adjust decisions with precision and to direct the finest material toward the Brunello, the Madonna del Piano Riserva or the single-vineyard bottlings. This detailed parcel-by-parcel approach explains the remarkable consistency and excellence of the wines across vintages.

Winemaking & Ageing

In the cellar, Valdicava follows a traditional yet highly refined approach. Fermentations are long and controlled, with gentle extraction to build structure without harshness. The Sangiovese is fermented parcel by parcel, typically in stainless steel or concrete, with maturation levels carefully managed to capture density without overripeness.

Ageing takes place primarily in large Slavonian oak casks, with minimal use of new wood. The estate’s hallmark Brunello and especially the Madonna del Piano Riserva spend up to 42 months in these large vessels, followed by a long bottle refinement. Filtration is kept to a minimum, ensuring that the wines retain their texture, depth and aromatic precision.

Wine Style

Valdicava wines are renowned for their power allied to freshness. Aromatically, the Brunello and single-vineyard cuvées display striking notes of black cherry, plum, wild berries, with undertones of violet, spice, tobacco, cocoa and sometimes an iron-tinged mineral edge. These aromas evolve gracefully into truffle, cedar and fine leather with bottle age.

On the palate, the wines are deep, structured and vertical, supported by firm yet beautifully ripe tannins and a vibrant acidity that carries the finish. With time, the tannins soften, the palate broadens and the layers of complexity multiply. In strong vintages, Valdicava’s finest wines can age gracefully for several decades.

Key Wines

Rosso di Montalcino Valdicava – Sourced mainly from younger vines and parcels not selected for Brunello. This Rosso stands out for its energy, purity of red fruit, finesse and balance, offering a remarkably serious and characterful expression of Sangiovese for the category.

Brunello di Montalcino Valdicava – The estate’s cornerstone wine, blended from the finest parcels of Montosoli. A Brunello of depth, tension and sophistication, showing dark fruit, a firm yet refined structure and a 10- to 15-year ageing potential, often longer in stellar vintages.

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “Madonna del Piano” – The estate’s iconic wine, produced only in exceptional vintages from a single historic vineyard in Val di Cava. Aged extensively in large casks, it delivers immense concentration, depth and longevity, and ranks among the most sought-after Brunello Riserva bottlings.

Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Montosoli – A single-vineyard expression from a privileged parcel on the Montosoli hill. This cuvée enhances the mineral, floral and vertical qualities typical of this terroir, offering fine-grained tannins, crystalline purity and remarkable length. A must for lovers of precise, terroir-driven Brunello.