Paolo, Bramante and Luciano Ciolfi pictured in 2006
Sanlorenzo
Life is too short to make mediocre wines
Luciano Ciolfi is now the custodian of the family’s vineyards situated to the south west of Montalcino in Tuscany. The name Sanlorenzo comes from Luciano’s great-great-grandfather, Lorenzo Ferrretti who purchased some land in Montalcino to build a family house in the late 19th century.
In 1950 Lorenzo’s son Guido married and purchased additional land for another house and space to rear animals. He named it Sanlorenzo in memory of his father. One of his sons, Bramante, took over the farm after his father passed away. During this time the vineyard was around one hectare and was for family use only.
Vineyard expansion took place in 1972 after Bramante’s daughter married Paolo Ciolfi. Previously, all of the grape production was sold to other wineries in the area. Now the whole harvest is bottled with the Sanlorenzo label.
Initially Paolo’s son Luciano went to work at a winery in in different region. After learning his trade and following the popularity of Montalcino and Brunello he returned to take over the family vineyards.
Following the initial plantings by his father, further areas were planted in 1992 and then the last in 2018.
The total area now under vine is 7 hectares. All Sangiovese with each vineyard located on the southern slopes of the property with a south to south west exposure depending on the natural topography.
The first bottles under the Sanlorenzo label were produced in 2003.
The sun rises early that day and sets late for the Sanlorenzo harvesters, but eventually everyone, even the vines, will have their well-deserved, albeit short, rest.
The work in the vineyards is all manual with careful selection giving an intended low yield per hectare.
Straight after harvesting, the grapes are carefully destalked, crushed and placed into stainless steel tanks to undergo fermentation and maceration. This usually lasts for around 25 days initially at around 28ºC and dropping to 20°C on the final days.
The Rosso di Montalcino wine is placed into old Barriques for around twelve months with the Brunello going into large 30 hectolitre casks for two years.
Following bottling, the Rosso is released for sale in the spring of the second year after harvest. The Brunello will be placed back into tanks for a period of time prior to bottling and at least four months of bottle ageing in the cellars. It is then released for sale in the January of the fifth year after harvest.
From the land of Bramante to the wine of Luciano….. 3 generations from Montalcino committed to the production of high-quality wines within their own winery in a strictly family structure.
THE SANLORENZO RANGE
Rosso di Montalcino DOC
Rosso di Montalcino Sanlorenzo comes from the farm’s youngest vineyards which open up like an amphitheatre on the Valle dell’Orcia and towards the sea. The medium clay soil is rich in stones and the particular microclimate of more than 500 metres altitude makes the taste of the Sangiovese cultivated in these vineyards particularly delicate.
• 100% Sangiovese
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
From the best of Sanlorenzo’s grapes and the perfect blend of land, vine and winery comes Brunello di Montalcino. Great elegance and intensity capable of bringing out the best in itself over time. Vinified in steel casks, it is then aged in wooden casks for more than 2 years and then bottled and left to rest for another 4 months before going on sale.
• 100% Sangiovese
Brunello di Montalcino Bramante DOCG
In memory of my grandfather, Bramante Ferretti, Sanlorenzo’s founder, who was born and lived in Montalcino. 3 May 1915 - 29 October 2016. The Riserva di Brunello di Montalcino Bramante only comes in exceptional years from a selection of the best grapes. Aged for more than two years in medium-sized wooden casks, it is bottled in its fourth year and left to rest in the bottle until the January of the sixth year after it is harvested.
• 100% Sangiovese
Rosato IGT Toscana
Produced in small quantities from Sangiovese grapes. Cheerful colour, onion of Tropea with a “cold” type nose and some green notes. What emerges is fruity cherry accompanied by sensations of other red fruits. Extremely pleasant on the palate, with a rich and intense mouthfeel with nice acidity. Freshness that persists in the long finish.
• 100% Sangiovese
For more information visit: SANLORENZO