LA CALONICA

The farming estate "la Calonica" is to be found in "Località "Le Capezzine" in the heart of an area rich of tradition and of prestigious wine production: on the hills of Valiano, in the two boroughs of Montepulciano and Cortona, an area of high quality red and white wines The estate consists of two farms "la Calonica" and "Le Capezzine" both situated on the gently sloping hills with a joint cultivation area of 40 hectares, 32 of which are vineyards. The vineyards are in the areas of "Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G." (Denomination of controlled and guaranteed origin), Cortona D.O.C. (Denomination of controlled origin) and in the Tuscany I.G.T. (indication of geographical region) all government approved labels. The wine cellars are in the ancient farm buildings. A modern structure has been built for the wine making and bottling. Owners since 1972, the Cattani family take personal care of the wine production and marketing owns the factory. The nearby Trasimeno lake favourably influences the climate in the Valiano vineyards guaranteeing mild winters and not too dry summers, enabling the vines to have a fairly regular vegetative cycle. La Calonica is located on the crest of a hill at an altitude of around 350 metres. Being at the highest point in the immediate surroundings the ventilation is excellent and the panorama wonderful. The soil is a homogeneous mixture tending to argillaceous limestone at a depth. 70% of the vineyards are planted with Sangiovese of Montepulciano (Prugnolo Gentile). The black Canaiolo and some white grapevines such as Trebiano, Malvasia of Chianti or grechetto complete the traditional heritage of the Calonica vineyards. During recent years a few hectares of the vineyards facing Montepulciano and some of those facing Cortona have been planted with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon vines.