Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona

The estate's history begins in the 17th century with the construction of the Palazzo by Fabivs de' Vecchis, Bishop of Montalcino. The property was auctioned in 1868 and later sold to the Ciacci family in 1877. It acquired the Piccolomini d'Aragona name through the marriage of Elda Ciacci to Count Alberto Piccolomini d'Aragona. In a notable turn of events in 1985, the childless Countess Elda Ciacci bequeathed the entire estate to Giuseppe Bianchini, who had served as the farm manager for many years. Today, Giuseppe's children, Paolo and Lucia Bianchini, manage the winery with the involvement of the third generation, Alex and Ester.

The vineyards are situated on the southeastern slopes of Montalcino, near the village of Castelnuovo dell'Abate and the Abbey of Sant'Antimo. The estate spans approximately 40 hectares of vines, with primary holdings on south-facing slopes at altitudes ranging from 240 to 360 meters. The soil is predominantly Galestro, which is a friable marl, while the iron-rich terrain of the Pianrosso vineyard provides specific characteristics for the flagship wines. Winemaking involves a combination of traditional and modern techniques, utilizing temperature-controlled stainless steel and concrete vats for fermentation followed by aging in large Slavonian oak casks for the Brunello. The estate transitioned to certified organic viticulture in 2020.

The producer is most recognized for its Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and the single-vineyard Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso. In addition to Sangiovese, the estate produces Sant'Antimo DOC wines such as Ateo, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and Fabivs, a varietal Syrah. These non-traditional bottlings were introduced to explore the potential of the local microclimate beyond appellation restrictions. The wines are frequently cited for their balance and elegance rather than raw power. The estate maintains a reputation as one of the most reliable producers in the southern sector of Montalcino.