Bindella is an estate winery in Vallocaia in the commune of Montepulciano in Tuscany. It was created in 1984 by Rudolf ‘Rudi’ Bindella, a Swiss wine importer. Previously, in 1996, Bindella sold his Brunello di Montalcino DOCG estate Corte Pavone to the Loacker family (see Loacker Corte Pavone), and then in 1997 he sold Borgo Scopeto in Chianti Classico DOCG to Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini.

Bindella’s main wines are reds: Chianti DOCG, Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG. Sweet Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC and Vin Santo di Montepulciano Occhio di Pernice DOC wines have also been made.

Staff: Giovanni Capuano became the external consultant here in 1999, and from 2001 he became a full-time employee. | Production manager: Christin Rutsche. | General Manager: Albano Ardessi. | Consultant oenologist: Vittorio Fiore.

Vineyards: 2015 On Monday 09th Nov 2015 Giovanni Capuano told me there were ‘36.5 hectares (90 acres) of vines with another 6 hectares (14.8 acres) due to be planted in spring 2016. Of the 36.5 hectares there were 25 hectares (61.75 acres) of Vino Nobile. The Vino Nobile vines are spread across four sites: in Vallocaia (Production area: Argiano), Camparone (Production area: Cervognano), Santa Maria (Production area: Sanguineto) and Fossolupaio (Production area: Paterno). Bindella’s vineyards in Vallocaia (Argiano) and Camparone (Cervognano) are separated only by a small stream.

Vallocaia (Argiano): The Vallocaia vineyards are in the Argiano sub-zone. Here soils tend to be very sandy (‘sabbioso-limoso’) and therefore permeable with low water retention. Being so porous, however, they [provide oxygen and thus] allow the plants’ root systems to spread in search of water in the deeper layers [2-3 metres down, Giovanni Capuano told me on Monday 09th Nov 2015]. The sand is complemented by silts and clays in proportions that vary considerably between different parts of the terroir, with textures ranging from sandy and silty sand to medium textured (loam) and sandy clay. The varied texture lends these soils spectacular reddish, yellow, ochre and grey hues. The Vallocaia soils are slightly calcareous with moderately alkaline pH. The area lies at altitudes of 260–320 m a.s.l., with 2–15% slopes. South-east facing. The Sangiovese in this area is said to show floral overtones and internally is structured. The estate’s Dolce Sinfonia Vin Santo comes from here. Bindella’s neighbour here is Fattoria del Cerro.

Camparone (Cervognano) vineyards: 14ha. Olive groves: 3.5ha., Arable land: 10ha. In the and Cervognano sub-zone. Bordering on Vallocaia (see above), Camparone occupies an entirely south-facing hillside, in the renowned area of Cervognano. Camparone’s soils are very similar to those of Vallocaia in terms of limestone and pH, yet they vary in their higher clay content and prominent reddish colour [potentially more powerful wines compared to Vallocaia]. The vineyards in Camparone produce small, concentrated grapes that are rich in extractable material (tannin, colour). On Monday 09th Nov 2015 Giovanni Capuano told me ‘Vallocaia is cool, gives cherry flavours, like Chanti. Sangiovese with medium extract; floral; good colour; tannins need a bit of time to settle. Need to age slowly in bigger rather than smaller wood. With small barrels the oak takes over.’

Podere Santa Maria (Sanguineto): 5.5ha. of vines. Olive groves: 3ha. Podere Santa Maria is located in the Sanguineto sub-zone. The soil in Santa Maria is very uniform, described as clay-loam  with a silty clay texture and light grey colour. When dry, it is thick, heavy and stony; when wet, malleable and sticky. It offers good water retention and reduced permeability, which limits downward root development; rarely do the roots penetrate more than a metre. The lime content is medium, for a moderately alkaline pH. The area lies at altitudes of between 340 and 365 m a.s.l., with slopes of 2–10%. Noth-east facing. Santa Maria’s soil and climatic characteristics restrain the development and vigour of the vines, which thus produce small, very concentrated grapes and bunches. The Sangiovese wines from this area are highly potent, well structured, with abundant extract [and colour] and a typically dense, close-knit tannic weave; overtones of spices and black and red berries stand out in the nose. On Monday 09th Nov 2015 Giovanni Capuano told me “wines from here are less like Chianti compared to those of Vallocaia.” Cabernet Sauvignon is also grown here for the ‘Gioia’ wine. Label: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano I Quadri.

Fossolupaio (Paterno): 3.9ha of vines. Fossolupaio is a small podere in the Paterno sub-zone used for Rosso di Montepulciano. This has two soil types: in the southern vineyard, there is a loamy-clayey soil (grey silty clay). It has similar physical and chemical properties to Santa Maria’s. In the north-east vineyard, a pale yellow, medium-textured soil like some Vallocaia soils but with abundant sandstone. Fossolupaio lies at altitudes of between 370–to 415 m, with 5–10% slopes. Fossolupaio’s wines are characterised by their fresh acidity (cool, crisp wines), and medium body  and great tanginess; the tannin expression is similar to that in parts of Vallocaia; on the nose, red fruit notes prevail. The Syrah for the ‘Ardore’ Syrah comes from here.

Winery: The winery is in Vallocaia, the estate’s historic hub.

White wines

Toscana Bianco DOC, Gemella: 2012 100% Sauvignon Blanc. (commended DWWA 2013).

Red wines

Toscana Rosso DOC, Antenata: 100% Merlot. From vines in Santa Maria in the Sanguineto sub-zone. Argilloso-limoso. 340-365 metres. South and north-east facing. 5,200 vines/ha. Planted 2000. Spurred cordon. | 2010 Debut vintage.

Toscana Rosso, Ardore: 100% Syrah. From the Fossolupaio vineyard in the Paterno sub-zone (see above). Soils are ‘argilloso-limoso’. 390-415 metres. South south-east facing. 5,200 vines/ha. 2,000 vines/ha. Spurred cordon. Planted 2000. | 2011 Debut vintage.

Toscana Rosso DOC, Gioia: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. From vines in Santa Maria in Sanguineto (see above). Argilloso-limoso. 340-365 metres. North-east facing. 5,200 vines/ha. Planted 2000. Spurred cordon. | 2010 Debut vintage.

Toscana Rosso DOC, Vallocaia: 85% Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese), 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Montepulciano Rosso DOC, Fosso Lupaio: From Fossolupaio (‘limoso-argilloso’) and Vallocaia (‘sabbioso-limoso’ and ‘argilloso-sabbioso’) in the Paterno and Argiano sub-zones. 217-415 metres. South, south-east, north-east and north-west facing. | 2000 Debut. | 2017 Sangiovese and Syrah. 12m in botti.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Bindella: On Monday 09th Nov 2015 Giovanni Capuano told me the Sangiovese, Colorino, Canaiolo and Mammolo grapes are hand picked, destemmed, and sorted in the winery on a vibrating table. They ferment in steel vats of 75-100hl  at a controlled 25-28ºC. Try to avoid too much maceration to avoid green notes from the (seeds). Aged 20-24 months mainly in 50hl Slavonian oak vats, and partly in French oak barrels. | 2002 Botti sample, rich claret Pomerol-like nose, but a bit dilute and showing some age but quite a rich cedary style but not for keeping at the consorzio on Tuesday 8th March 2005. | 2009 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino. Broad, ripe, deep and spicey nose, nicely even textured red with plenty of cranberry fruit – perhaps just a bit simple (DWWA 2013). | 2010 High tone nose, malic, light, green (Anteprima 2014). | 2015 Soft, appealing plum-skin fruit, citrus tang (Anteprima 2018). | 2017 Plummy, slightly dry tannins (Anteprima, 2020).

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, I Quadri: 100% sangiovese from the Santa Maria plot in Sanguineto (clay = strong wine). Aged in 300 litre tonneaux. | 2000 Debut. | 2010 100% Sangiovese. £30-59.99. Soft ripe herb and bacon, interesting palate, with lots of extraction, dense tannin, seems a traditional belt-and-braces style Vino Nobile (DWWA  2013). | 2015 Some green notes (Anteprima 2018).

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Riserva, Bindella: From higher vines in Vallocaia. 5% of Colorino del Val d’Arno. Aged in 300-litre tonneaux then blended and racked to botti.| 2015 14.5% alc. Crunchy, tight, youthful, bright and easy to handle  (Anteprima, 2020).

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Riserva, Vallocaia: Selection of Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese) grapes matured in barriques. | 2010 Debut.

Sweet wines

Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC, Dolce Sinfonia: The name means ‘sweet symphony’. Sweet wine. 80–95% Trebbiano, 5–20% Malvasia Bianca Lunga Toscana. The vines are in Vallocaia in the Argiano sub-zone. 290 metres. Sabbioso-limoso. South-east facing. 5,950 vines/ha. Spurred cordon. 2005 Planted. The wine ages 3 years in ‘caratelli’. | 1993 Debut vintage. | 2006 Produced.

Vin Santo di Montepulciano Occhio di Pernice DOC, Dolce Sinfonia: Sweet wine with a ‘partridge eye’ colour. 100% Sangiovese. The vines are in Vollocaia in the Argiano sub-zone. 300-320 metres. Planted 1991. Spurred cordon 9,620 vines/ha. The wine ages 6 years in ‘caratelli’. | 2004 Debut. Previously bottled under the Colli dell’Etruria Centrale DOC.

Spirits

Grappa di Vinacce di Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Vallocaia: 1998 Bottled.

Grappa di Vinacce di Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Oro: Oak aged.

Other activities: Mixed farm with fruit, vegetables, cereal crops. Olive oil (Olio extravergine di oliva) is made from 13ha of olives (3,600 trees). Frantoio, Leccino, Moraiolo and Pendolino varieties. 275-350 metres.

Contact

Bindella

Fraz. Acquaviva

Via delle Tre Berte, 10 A

I-53040 Montepulciano (SI), Italy

Tel+39 0578.767777 | Website www.bindella.it