Croce di Febo is an organic estate winery in the Montepulciano region of Tuscany. It was founded in 1995 by the Vincenti-Comitini family, namely Silvia Vincenti (owner) and her husband Maurizio Comitini. The main wines are Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOC, and Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC.

Staff: Consultant winemaker: Mauro Monicchi.

Vineyards: The owners seem to have removed vines from areas which were too fertile, and instead focused on areas richer in galestro and which faced south or east. Mainly Prugnolo Gentile, plus Syrah and Arinarnoa. The wide vine-spacing of 2,3 x 0,8 metres was chosen to produce elegant rather than concentrated wines. 2018 30 hectares (74.1 acres) of land on three terroirs across four different farms, comprising 9.2ha of vines in total of which there are 8ha of Vino Nobile). The farms are:

– Pietra del Diavolo (‘Devil’s Rock’). | 1.6ha at Pietra del Diavolo [near the winery], in the Fontellelera area, between Argiano and Paterno. South and east facing. 450-475 metres. Clayey sandy- fossil-rich clay-limestone. Planted 2003. See also Metinella.

– Le Cerraie: At Madonna del Cerro (SanSavino), south and east-facing, 260-310 metres, sandy clay. 5.4ha planted 1970, single guyot. This was sold to Boscarelli in 2016.

– Podere Monti | 2.2ha at Podere Monti in Sant’Albino (Loc. Pianoia): North-facing, 490-510 metres. Clay-limestone, clayey and slightly calcareous, ferruginous soils rich in fossils. Planted 2005 to cordon. We visited this vineyard 21 Oct 2015.

Organic certification: 2010 First vintage with full organic certification.

White wines

Somaio Bianco: Made from Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia Bianca Toscana Lunga, Canaiolo Bianco, ‘Grechetto’, San Colombano. | 2012 Steel. MLF. Nice cool/natural style nose (Anteprima, 2014). | 2015 Very saline, use of skin contact well handled (Anteprima, 2017). | 2018 13.5% alc. 300 bottles. Fermented in cement eggs. V nice clarity, salty-soft fruit, very winning and savoury (Anteprima, 2020).

Montarioso Bianco: The grapes are not estate grown (or organic). They come from Mondo X (a farm which is part of a monastery used to help rehabilitate those with addictions). | 2012 95% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Bianco. Steel. MLF. Bit sweet and phenolic (Anteprima, 2014).

Red wines

Rosso di Montepulciano DOC: 2012 85% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo. Light, elegantish but also some toffee (Anteprima, 2014). | 2015 Clear crunchy fruit (Anteprima, 2017). | 2016 Stainless steel for fermentation. Aged in concrete or terracotta vats. No oak. Very sapid, bright fruit (Anteprima, 2018). | 2018 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo. Bright, clear red fruit, like an infusion (Anteprima, 2020).

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG: 2010 90% Prugnolo, 10% Colorino, Ciliegiolo, Mammola. Light colour, light elegant style of fruit with inner depth so rather good and would be even better with a touch more clarity (Anteprima, 2014). | 2011 Nice texture, ripe, sticky and not too heavy (Millésime Bio 2015). | 2013 Nice crunch to the fruit, red, mint flavours, really elegant and bright (Anteprima, 2017). | 2015 95% Sangiovese, 10% Colorino & Mammolo. 13%. Fluid, clear, refreshing (Anteprima, 2018). | 2016 90% Sangiovese, 10% Mammolo and Ciliegiolo. Mesozoic and Pliocene soils. Pure infusion-style fruit (Anteprima, 2020).

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Riserva: 2012 24 months in oak. Lovely fluid pale colour, like an infusion of red fruit (Anteprima, 2018). | 2015 Very good ripeness, depth and clarity (Anteprima, 2019).

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Riserva, Amore Mio: Pliocene soils. 2010 36 months in oak. 14% alc. Slight hint of animal allied to rich underlying fruit (Anteprima, 2019). | 2016 100% Sangiovese. Pure fruit, well handled tannins (Anteprima, 2020).

Sweet wines

Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC:

Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC Riserva:

Other crops

Grains, olives, woodland.

Contact

Sede legale: Croce di Febo, Via di Villa Bianca, 2 | I-53045 Montepulciano (SI), Italy

Cantina: Croce di Febo, Via di Fontelellera, 19A | I-53045 Montepulciano (SI), Italy

Enoteca: Croce di Febo, Via di Voltaia nel Corso, 39 | I-53045 Montepulciano (SI), Italy

Website: www.crocedifebo.it/GB/Home