A guide to Tenute del Cerro’s Tuscan and Umbrian wines: from classics to new trends.

Tuscany and Umbria are two Italian regions with a long winemaking tradition and a heritage of appellations that few other European regions can match. They are also very different from each other in terms of soil, climate, and grape varieties, making them particularly interesting to explore, compare, and—of course—taste.

Tenute del Cerro is one of the rare wineries in both regions, with five estates spread across the Siena hills and the Val di Cornia, until Montefalco, and over twenty labels. In this guide, we’ll explore them one by one, with suggestions on pairings, occasions, and new consumption trends.

 

Tuscan and Umbrian wines: differences, grape varieties and production areas

Tuscany is the land of Sangiovese: the grape covers approximately 60% of the region’s vineyards and produces, among others, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino, and Chianti – reds with lively acidity, well-defined tannins, and aromas of cherry and spice that vary significantly from one area to another.

In the Val di Cornia, between the Val di Cecina and the sea, the grape expresses itself in a DOCG with a more coastal character, while among the white wines, Vermentino takes center stage, finding some of its best expressions here and in Maremma.

About oenology theme, Umbria holds surprises. Sangiovese is the most widely grown grape here, too, but the Montefalco area has notable peculiarities: Sagrantino here is the real star—a native grape from a small area— close to Grechetto, a fresh and savory white.

The five Tenute del Cerro estates are located in these areas: Montepulciano, Montalcino, Val di Cornia, and Montefalco, and the differences between their wines are almost entirely explained by the terroir.

Comparing Terroirs: Montepulciano, Montalcino, Val di Cornia, and Montefalco

The differences between Tenute del Cerro wines largely depend on their terroir. Fattoria del Cerro is located on the hills of Montepulciano, in Tuscany, between 250 and 600 meters above sea level, on a mosaic of clay, sand, and sandstone: the Prugnolo Gentile (a local Sangiovese biotype) emerges with measured tannins and a refreshing freshness. La Poderina, in Montalcino, has soils of galestro and alberese: here the Sangiovese Grosso is concentrated and austere.

Monterufoli, in Val di Cornia, is a Tuscan organic farm within a nature reserve of over a thousand hectares between the Val di Cecina and the sea. They produce a Vermentino with a distinct marine flavor and a DOCG red wine from mineral-rich soils.

Còlpetrone, in the Montefalco area of ​​Umbria, is the largest privately owned Sagrantino producer: 63 hectares of vineyards on clay-limestone soils, with marked temperature variations between day and night. The fifth estate, Montecorona, is dedicated to Umbrian agricultural products: DOP extra virgin olive oil, peaches, hazelnuts, and ancient grain flour.

The best Tuscan reds: from Vino Nobile to Brunello di Montalcino

Tuscan Sangiovese varies depending on the area where it grows. Tenute del Cerro’s three Tuscan estates—in Montepulciano, Montalcino, and Val di Cornia—demonstrate this with wines that differ greatly in structure, aging, and personality.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Rosso and Chianti: Wines of Fattoria del Cerro

The estate’s flagship wine is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, and Silìneo is its flagship wine: awarded three glasses by Gambero Rosso for six consecutive years and 92 by James Suckling. Antica Chiusina is the cru, produced only in the finest vintages. The Riserva develops notes of tobacco, leather and sweet spices, with more relaxed tannins.

The range is completed by the Rosso di Montepulciano DOC – with shorter aging – the Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG and the Manero Rosso IGT.

Brunello di Montalcino and Red DOC: La Poderina wines

The Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is aged for at least five years, two of which in oak. More concentrated, it has an aging potential exceeding thirty years in good vintages—it’s the quintessential wine to uncork on special evenings. Poggio Abate is the estate’s Riserva: 24 months in French oak with weekly batonnage, then further aging in bottle.

The Rosso di Montalcino DOC is the more informal version: light tannins and an excellent quality-price ratio. The Rosso di Toscana IGT, aged in stainless steel, completes the range.

Val di Cornia Rosso DOCG: the Tuscany Coast Sangiovese

The Poggio Miniera Val di Cornia Rosso DOCG is a single-varietal red wine aged in oak for about a year, born from a mineral-rich terroir with good aging potential. It’s the wine that makes Monterufoli recognizable even in its red wines, alongside the Vermentino for which the estate is best known.

Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG and other Umbrian reds from Còlpetrone

While Sangiovese adapts to diverse terroirs, Sagrantino is the opposite: it grows almost exclusively in Montefalco and has characteristics that make it unique among Italian reds. You can tell from the first sip: it’s one of Italy’s most tannic reds—with an almost black color and aromas of blackberry, plum, and spice. It requires at least 33 months of aging, 12 of which in oak.

Còlpetrone offers three versions:

• Memoira: the estate’s first Sagrantino: powerful, concentrated, and long-lived, aged 12 months in French oak barrels.


• Sacer: made from the finest plots in terms of exposure and soil type: aged 18 months in wood, followed by aging in steel and bottle for at least 12 years—this is its uniqueness.


• Ò di Còlpetrone: made from one of the most suitable parcels, in the historic cradle of the grape variety.

Montefalco Rosso is the most versatile Umbrian red: a blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, and other varietals, it is smooth and suitable for pairing with numerous dishes. Finally, the Saccr Umbria Rosso IGT is a blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged exclusively in stainless steel. Fresh and enveloping, with notes of ripe cherry and soft tannins, it has received numerous awards, including 90 points from both Vinous and James Suckling.

Tuscan and Umbrian white, sparkling and dessert wine

In addition to the great reds, Tenute del Cerro produces whites, classic method sparkling wines, and dessert wines that complete the range.

Vermentino Pian di Seta, Grechetto and Manero Bianco: white wines of estates

Awarded the best white wine in Tuscany at the Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2024, Pian di Seta is a Vermentino produced in the Monterufoli nature reserve, between the Val di Cornia and Val di Cecina. It is characterized by notes of white flowers and white-fleshed fruit, along with the typical aromas of grapes grown on mineral-rich soils.

Grechetto di Còlpetrone is the Umbrian white wine from the Montefalco area: sweet with good acidity. A still wine with a range of lively aromas on the nose and on the palate. Finally, Manero Bianco from Fattoria del Cerro is a blend of white grapes traditionally grown in the estate’s vineyards: fresh and pleasant, it’s perfect for any occasion.

Sparkling and dessert wine of Tenute del Cerro

Cerrus Brut is the estate’s first classic method sparkling wine: made from the finest white grapes from the Fattoria del Cerro vineyards, it ages on the lees for at least 24 months, with delicate floral notes and hints of bread crust. Cerrus Rosé, made from Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile), has hints of raspberry and cherry and a fine, persistent perlage.

Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC is the traditional Tuscan meditation wine: obtained from a rigorous manual selection of Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia grapes, it follows the classic drying process that concentrates sugars and aromatic precursors. More fragrant, La Poderina’s Moscadello di Montalcino is a sweet white wine with an extremely elegant sensory profile and a vibrant bouquet. Finally, Còlpetrone’s Sagrantino Passito is a full-bodied red passito that combines deep notes of blackberry and cherry preserved in alcohol with a finely spiced and persistent finish.

Tuscan and Umbrian wines at the table: pairings, occasions, and bottles to give as gifts

Choosing the right wine depends on many factors: the food pairing, the occasion, or the recipient. Here’s a practical guide to help you choose.

From Florentine steak to black truffle: the perfect pairing for every dish

A bottle of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano pairs perfectly with Tuscan appetizers, first courses, and main courses, especially with Sienese cuisine: if your menu includes pici all’aglione (typical garlic sauce pasta), stew, or pecorino di Pienza, you’re on the safe side. Even for a Chianina Florentine steak, there’s no doubt: Brunello di Montalcino is the perfect pairing—with its character and structure, it perfectly complements the meat without being overshadowed. For less demanding dishes (such as an aperitif featuring cured meats and cheeses), Rosso di Montepulciano is the best choice. Vermentino Pian di Seta, on the other hand, is the white wine to bring to the table with fish, shellfish, and grilled vegetables.

Let’s move on to Umbria: while Montefalco Rosso is versatile and adapts to even the most delicate recipes, Sagrantino pairs well with savory dishes that can hold their own. Try it with pork butchers’ shops, Norcia black truffle, or Castelluccio lentils.

Which wine to choose for each occasion

From grand reds to crisp whites, Tuscany and Umbria offer wines perfect for special occasions. Here are our recommendations for the best ones to uncork for each occasion:

Dai grandi rossi ai bianchi più freschi, Tuscany and Umbria offrono vini che si prestano ad essere consumati in momenti speciali. Ecco i nostri consigli sui migliori da stappare a seconda dell’occasione:

• Important dinner, New Year’s Eve dinner → Silìneo (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG), Poggio Abate (Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG) o Sacer (Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG)


• Sunday lunch, barbecue with friends on Easter Monday → Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, Montefalco Rosso DOC o Manero Rosso IGT


• Aperitif, toast, birthday party → Cerrus Brut o Cerrus Rosé
  


• Christmas Eve, August 15th lunch → Pian di Seta (Vermentino di Toscana IGT)


• End of meal after Easter or Christmas lunch → Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC o Moscadello di Montalcino DOC

 

Giving a fine wine as a gift: the right bottle for those who know how to appreciate it

Birthdays, Valentine’s Day, graduations, or name days: giving a fine wine as a gift is always a good idea. A bottle of Brunello di Montalcino is the most classic choice, but Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva is also a timeless classic: recognizable, high-quality, and competitively priced among Tuscan DOCGs. Sagrantino is a less conventional but equally popular choice.

Those looking for something more elegant and festive can opt for the Cerrus Metodo Classico Brut and Cerrus Metodo Classico Brut Rosé sparkling wines: the perfect gift to share on occasions that call for a toast.

When giving a bottle of wine as a gift, the aesthetics and attention to detail of the label always play a key role: in 2026, Tenute del Cerro revamped its wine labels with a refined design, premium paper, and embossed textures. To please the eye, as well as the palate.

Quando si regala una bottiglia, l’estetica e la cura dell’etichetta fanno sempre la loro parte: nel 2026 Tenute del Cerro ha rinnovato le etichette dei propri vini con un design raffinato, carta premium e texture in rilievo. Per soddisfare l’occhio, e non solo il palato.

Wine in 2026: New Trends and the Tenute del Cerro Wine Club

The way we choose and drink wine is changing: between new consumption habits and the desire to discover new labels and experiences, wine clubs are the best way to stay up-to-date.

Fresh reds, moderate alcohol content: the new preferences

More and more people are serving even the lightest reds chilled, reaching a temperature of 14-16°C. They call them “chillable reds.” Rosso di Montepulciano and Montefalco Rosso are well suited to being served this way: with their structure and acidity that tolerates storage at lower temperatures, they are perfect for uncorking on a summer evening outdoors.

The same goes for moderately alcoholic wines, which are increasingly popular: for those who prefer them, drinkability matters more than concentration. Young Tuscan and Umbrian whites and reds, with their light structure and good natural acidity, are particularly suitable.

Tenute del Cerro wine club: the online shop, selections, and advice from the estates

For those who want to stay up-to-date on wine trends and purchase award-winning labels, joining a wine club is a great idea.

Members become part of the community and receive updates from the estates, pairing tips, and invitations to tastings and winery tours. It’s also a great starting point for planning your own wine itineraries in Tuscany and Umbria—from Montepulciano to Montefalco, passing through Montalcino and the Maremma coast.