“If forced to drink only one wine from Montalcino, I might very well choose Diego Molinari’s sumptuous Brunello.” — Antonio Galloni June 2009
Cerbaiona is one of the legendary Brunello di Montalcino estates, producing classic expressions of the coveted Sangiovese grape. Set nearly 1,500 feet above sea level on limestone shale soils, Cerbaiona possesses a pristine terroir, becoming a favorite of critics like Robert Parker and Antonio Galloni. Now led by Gary Rieschel and Matthew Fioretti, Cerbaiona Brunello is a must-have cellar addition for Italian wine lovers looking for a traditional label.
Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino History
Cerbaiona was founded in 1977 by Diego Molinari and his wife, Nora. Molinari worked as a pilot for Alitalia (now known as ITA Airways) for 25 years before retiring and following his passion for winemaking. After stumbling upon a 20-hectare property on the northeast end of Montalcino, Molinari purchased the property and began crafting his wines in the vein of Biondi Santi.
Consequently, the inaugural 1981 Cerbaiona Brunello was released in 1985, eventually becoming one of Italy's top Brunellos. Despite the estate's major success, Diego Molinari sold Cerbaiona in 2015 to a capital venture group led by Gary Rieschel and Matthew Fioretti. Under the new ownership, the vineyard was replanted and expanded by 1 hectare, a new drainage system was implemented, and an in-house laboratory was added, among many other changes.
The 2013, 2014, and 2015 Cerbaiona were thus declassified to Rosso di Montalcino, with the 2016 Cerbaiona returning to Brunello di Montalcino status in 2021.
Cerbaiona Wine Profile and Portfolio
Cerbaiona produces three separate labels: Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino, Cerbaiona Rosso di Montalcino, and Cerbaiona Grammatica.
Cerbaiona Brunello di Montalcino
Cerbaiona Brunello is the estate's flagship wine, celebrated as one of the region's greatest expressions. Bottles are known for their saline and mineral notes, full-bodied, brooding profile, and enthralling dark berry aromas. Top vintages include the 2010 and 2016 editions, as the former earned 98 points from The Wine Advocate.
Cerbaiona Rosso di Montalcino
Cerbaiona Rosso di Montalcino is the estate's second label, produced from younger fruit that did not make the final cuvée of the flagship label. The wine offers a more approachable alternative to the Brunello di Montalcino in terms of price and drinking, with bottles in their peak drinking window upon bottling.
Cerbaiona Grammatica
Cerbaiona Grammatica is the estate's third label, best known as an entry-level Brunello. The inaugural vintage was crafted in 2020, and production is capped at 10,000 bottles.
Add Cerbaiona Brunello to Your Cellar
As one of Italy's finest Brunellos, Cerbaiona is the perfect cellar addition for those looking to add a traditional expression to their collection. At under $300 per bottle, Cerbaiona is a value buy, offering quality that punches above its price. View our in-stock selection of Cerbaiona wines and add a bottle to your cellar today.
Where is Cerbaiona located in Montalcino?
Cerbaiona is located in the Montalcino area of Tuscany, Italy. The estate sits in a position often described as balancing the freshness and structure associated with northern Montalcino with the richer ripeness associated with the south.
Why is Cerbaiona Brunello considered collectible?
Cerbaiona Brunello is collectible because the estate is small, production is limited, and the wines have a reputation for combining power, elegance, and long aging potential. Historic production has been extremely modest, with Wine Advocate noting roughly 8,000 bottles of Brunello annually in the past.
How rare is Cerbaiona Brunello?
Cerbaiona Brunello is rare because production is very limited. For example, the estate reports that the 2021 Cerbaiona Brunello totaled just 9,484 bottles, 300 magnums, and 20 jeroboams.
