Tenuta Luce wines

Located in the hills of southwest Montalcino, the original site was identified for its quality by the Marchese Vittorio Frescobaldi in the 1960s, and later launched as partnership between the Marchese and California wine legend Robert Mondavi. Luce was the first winery in Montalcino to produce a wine blended from Merlot and Sangiovese, resulting in a decadent, luxurious expression of the two varieties. The brand’s iconic name and packaging (Luce translates to “light” in Italian) was inspired by the altar at Santo Spirito in Florence – a landmark church built on land donated by the Frescobaldi family during the Renaissance.

The Frescobaldis took over full responsibility for the estate in 2004. The estate today consists of 615 acres of land, 217 of which are planted to vine – Sangiovese is planted in the higher elevation parcels (up to 1500 feet), which are rich in sandstone and limestone, while the lower altitude clay plots are better suited to Merlot. The Merlot is typically harvested mid-September, the Sangiovese three to four weeks later. The two varieties are blended together after fermentation and aged in 100% new French oak barrels.