Fonterenza
フォンテレンツァ
Twin-sister biodynamic pioneers of soulful, wild-fermented Montalcino Sangiovese
Fonterenza is a small biodynamic estate in Sant'Angelo in Colle, in the commune of Montalcino, Tuscany, founded in 1997 by twin sisters Margherita and Francesca Padovani. Originally from Milan, the sisters took over their family's farmhouse — purchased in 1975 — and planted their first vines in 1999, expanding through 2002 and 2005 to roughly 4 hectares planted almost entirely to Sangiovese. From the outset they avoided chemical treatments, working the vineyard by hand according to the lunar and planetary calendar and fermenting spontaneously with native yeasts, without temperature control or additions. The range — a Rosso di Montalcino, an old-vine Alberello Rosso di Montalcino, a Brunello di Montalcino, and a Sangiovese rosato called Rosa — is considered among the most soulful, terroir-driven expressions coming out of Montalcino, and is represented by natural-wine specialist importers such as Louis/Dressner Selections in the US and Vinaiota in Japan.
fonterenza.it/ ↗Cuvées
No cuvées registered yet.
Who Is This For?
For natural-wine lovers who want an authentic, unfiltered expression of Montalcino terroir from a hands-on, sister-run biodynamic estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who founded Fonterenza?
- Fonterenza was founded in 1997 by twin sisters Margherita and Francesca Padovani, who took over their family's farmhouse near Sant'Angelo in Colle in Montalcino and planted their first vines in 1999.
- What grape varieties does Fonterenza grow?
- The estate's roughly 4 hectares are planted almost entirely to Sangiovese, including an old-vine, alberello-trained (bush-vine) parcel planted in 2005.
- What winemaking practices define Fonterenza's style?
- Fonterenza farms biodynamically, timing vineyard operations to the lunar and planetary calendar and avoiding chemical treatments, then ferments spontaneously with native yeasts without temperature control or additions to preserve a pure expression of Montalcino terroir.
- What wines does Fonterenza produce?
- The range includes a Rosso di Montalcino, an Alberello Rosso di Montalcino from old bush-vines, a Brunello di Montalcino, and a Sangiovese-based rosato called Rosa.
- Who imports Fonterenza wines?
- Fonterenza is represented internationally by natural-wine specialist importers, including Louis/Dressner Selections in the United States and Vinaiota in Japan.