Il Colle

Caterina Carli, daughter of Alberto Carli, upholds the Gambellian principles of cleanliness, precision, and purity at Il Colle, a small family estate in Montalcino established in 1972. With a steadfast respect for nature and terroir, Caterina uses only natural yeasts, avoids temperature control and filtration, and maintains a focus on elegance and balance in her Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino wines. Located in the higher reaches of the Brunello zone, Il Colle's vineyards produce approximately 20,000 bottles of Brunello and 9,000 bottles of Rosso di Montalcino annually. Caterina, who learned from winemaker Giulio Gambelli until his passing in 2012, manages the estate's organic and hand-harvested 7-hectare vineyards. In addition to continuing her father's tradition of cultivating Merlot, she ages her Brunello in 500 to 5,000-liter Slavonian & Allier oak botti, steering clear of barriques to minimize oak influence and emphasize varietal nuances. "Caterina Carli, Alberto's daughter continues to adhere to the Gambellian principles of cleanliness, precision and purity. There is a single-minded respect for nature and terroir – only natural yeasts are used, and there is neither temperature control nor filtration in the vinification process. Out of a small annual production of around 25,000 bottles, around 20,000 are Rosso and Brunello di Montalcino – both of which are blessed with elegance, finesse and impeccable balance. Caterina continues to cultivate the merlot planted by her father in the 1990s. In order to temper the forwardness of merlot, these are bottled only 9-10 years after ageing in large botte – the result is a unique, almost meditative rendition of the varietal."