Montepulciano Territory

Located between the valleys of Orcia and Chiana, Montepulciano was built by the Etruscan king Porsenna, in 500 BC. The town preserves its old city centre, as it was centuries ago, with many religious and civil buildings such as the church of Madonna di San Biagio, the Palazzo Pubblico, Palazzo Tarugi, and the home of the poet Poliziano. This area is rich in oak, holm oak and chestnut woods, cultivated tuff planes, and vineyards. Montepulciano is famous throughout the world, for its natural and architectural beauty, but also for the wine that bears the city’s name. The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is one of Italy’s classic red wines, and has unquestionably helped Tuscany retain its privileged place on the world wine map. According to DOCG rules, in order to be labeled as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a wine must come from vineyards on the hills surrounding Montepulciano, an area with slopes reaching 820-1968 ft of altitude. The key grape variety grown here is Sangiovese (known locally as Prugnolo Gentile), the same variety used to make another of Tuscany’s great red wines: Brunello di Montalcino.