Winery
“Flow wine in a river of foam in honour of Bacchus, of the muses, of beauty” (A. S. Pushkin). Vino Nobile di Montepulciano answers this pray here, in Cantine Dei.
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50 Years of Passion
It all began in 1964 when my grandfather, Alibrando Dei, decided to buy the Bossona land and plant his first vineyard there. Here he discovered an extraordinary place, ideal for the production of great red wines. The property expanded in the 1970s with the purchase of Villa Martiena and the surrounding vineyards. In 1985, the year of an exceptional harvest, the first bottle of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano signed by the Dei family was finally released.
Since then, my family has carried on the great passion for wine while respecting tradition and being open to innovation. Our aim is to bring to life in wine the best expression of the Montepulciano area, the splendid corner of Tuscany where we live and which gives our prized grapes their unmistakable character, appreciated throughout the world.
A Travertine Treasure Chest
For several generations, my family has been involved in the excavation and processing of travertine. My father, Glauco Dei, marked an important turning point in the family business by creating architectural works all over the world. At the age of eighty, he conceived the idea of uniting the world of stone with that of wine, deciding to design and build a travertine home for his wine. The structure blends harmoniously into the gentle hilly landscape surrounding Montepulciano. The natural shades of travertine blend with the colours of the land, creating a beautiful architectural spectacle.
To enter the building we have to walk down a characteristic circular ramp, also made of travertine, which descends into the heart of the earth in the form of a spiral. We chose this shape for the entrance of the cellar to recall the precious fossil shells that, together with the limestone sandstone, make the subsoil on which our Bossona vineyard grows so special.
The ageing room resembles a temple of wine: the roof, also made of travertine and realised according to my father’s design, is supported by important columns. It is a modern and clean structure, but with strong hints of classicism. The large windows of the bottling and packaging area overlook a square that recalls the shape of an amphitheatre: it is here that the combination of wine and art reaches its maximum expression. My desire has always been to ensure that this place and its territory are experienced to the full.
Sculpture Garden
The Treasure: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Cantine Dei is my travertine treasure chest: the most cherished treasure inside is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. In July 1980 it was the first in Italy to be awarded the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). Today it is recognised as one of the most prestigious wines in our country and in the world.
According to the philosophy of my grandfather, my father and now me, wine is a heritage that, like the land, must be protected. Knowing the history and understanding the culture behind the production of a bottle of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, with unique characteristics, is a way to celebrate and appreciate not only each sip of the wine itself, but the entire region of Montepulciano. My mission with Cantine Dei is to protect and promote Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and its terroir, with total respect for the environment. This is why I will be happy to welcome you to the winery, to tell you the story of this land, and to celebrate with you its precious gifts.
Sustainability in the Winery
The wine cellar has a constant internal microclimate and optimum humidity. We achieve this and maintain it throughout the year by means of a geothermal system and by using water that rises from the surrounding countryside.