Grape Masters S01E06 – Il Marroneto, Italy
In our sixth, and final, episode of the season we travel to the picturesque hill of Montalcino to meet Alessandro Mori of Il Marroneto. Il Marroneto is one of the region’s most revered wineries, famed for its exquisite Brunello di Montalcino. Led by the charismatic Alessandro, the winery has become synonymous with purity, tradition, and a deep connection to the land, producing wines that express the very soul of Tuscany.
We sit down Alessandro and discuss how he, and his family, became winemakers, and talk about the old and ‘new’ Montalcino. Alessandro shares his philosophy in live and winemaking with us, and shares the key to his success in making some of the best Brunello’s in Montalcino.
The Journey of Il Marroneto
The history of Il Marroneto dates back to 1974 when Mori’s father, also a lawyer, purchased a small plot of land in Montalcino as a retreat. Initially, there were no vines—just a small farmhouse and a rugged landscape. But the family quickly fell in love with the land and began planting Sangiovese in the mid-1970s. What started as a weekend project eventually became a full-fledged passion for Alessandro, who took over the management of the winery in the 1990s, leaving behind a career in banking in Rome.
Initially, Il Marroneto only produced Brunello di Montalcino from its small 1.7-hectare vineyard, a wine characterized by its elegance, balance, and adherence to traditional methods. Over time, Mori acquired additional small parcels of land, expanding the vineyard to its current size of 7.5 hectares. Despite this growth, production remains limited, with around 45,000 bottles per year, ensuring that quality is never sacrificed for quantity.
Il Marroneto Wines and Their 100-Point Triumph
While Il Marroneto is celebrated for its Brunello di Montalcino, the winery also crafts other remarkable expressions of Montalcino’s distinctive terroir, all showcasing the region’s renowned Sangiovese variant, Brunello.
Alessandro Mori and his son Iacopo are among Montalcino’s most esteemed winemakers, earning international recognition for their exceptional wines. Their flagship, the Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie, stands out as a true benchmark in the world of fine wine. Known for its complexity, balance, and extraordinary aging potential, this vineyard selection has achieved global acclaim. Both the 2010 and 2016 vintages were awarded a perfect 100 points by Monica Larner of Wine Advocate, a rare and remarkable accomplishment.
Grape Masters, Iconic Wineries of the World
Grape Masters, by Dutch Wine Apprentice, brings you exclusive interviews with leading wineries and iconic winemakers. Through 1:1 interviews we learn what is the key behind their success, share behind the scene insights and personal stories. Join us and learn from the best of the best, while enjoying a glass of wine!
You can read more about Grape Masters here.
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For an in-depth exploration of Il Marroneto click here.
This article is produced in partnership with Crurated. We would like to thank Alessandro of Il Marroneto and Paolo Sforza of Crurated for their contribution to this article.
For more information on Il Marroneto wines or to explore their latest offerings, visit the winery’s website or check out Crurated, a platform that guarantees the authenticity and traceability of their wines.
