Manvi is an organic estate vineyard and winery in the southern sector of the Montepulciano region in Siena Province, Tuscany, Italy. Founder owners, Sudha and Puru Manvi describe themselves as ‘an Indian born Canadian–Swiss couple that gave up successful global banking careers to follow their passion for wine and live the dream of producing wine in Tuscany.’ They bought the estate in 2015. It was previously called Giannotti after its owner Antonio Giannotti who was based in Sarteano where he had a hotel-restaurant, the Albergo Ristorante La Lanterna. The vineyard was organic. His two children did not want to take on the estate, hence it was sold. The new owners re-named it Manvi, after the name of the place the couple come from in India. Puru says ‘Manvi also sounds a little bit Italian.’ Manvi produces Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG (both ‘normale’ and Riserva) plus a Vinsanto di Montepulciano DOC sweet wine.

Founder-owners: Sudha and Puru Manvi (58 in 2019). Puru said that having turned fifty he wanted a lifestyle change away from the corporate world and as he loved wine he felt wine-growing also offered a healthier lifestyle (physical activity) and a chance to learn new skills. They wanted an organic estate (this had been certified since 2003).

Staff: Cecilia Leoneschi consults.

Vineyards: The vineyards are in two locations. Different soil compositions. Southern part of the DOCG. Small valley. Val di Chiana on one side, Montepulciano on the other. | 2019 1.9ha producing around 7,000 bottles. Smallest estate in the DOCG. Planted 0.5ha in 2014. | 2020 More vineyards added to get to 6ha. Mainly Sangiovese plus Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon. The white grapes, Malvasia and Trebbiano produce a Vin Santo. | 2021 8ha (20 acres) producing around30–30,000 bottles. 

Organic certification: 2003 Certified organic since 2003 under the previous owner. | 2020 Still organic.

Winemaking: Stainless steel for fermentation. Moving away from barrels to larger oak.

Red wines

Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, Myra: The entry-level red. The name derives from myrrh. | 2017 85% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet and Merlot. 1,600 bottles. Spontaneous fermentation. Unoaked. Soft, wild fruit at the 2019 Anteprima. | 2018 Soft red fruit (2020 Anteprima).

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Arya: The name is the Sanskrit term for Noble. A full-bodied red. 24 months in French oak. | 2016 100% Sangiovese. Well textured, savoury, bright fruit (2020 Anteprima).

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Riserva, Ojas: A Riserva only made in the best years. | 2015 100% Sangiovese. 24m in French barrels (225-litre), aiming to use 500-litre tonneaux and oak vats in future. 15.5% alc. Well structured (2019 Anteprima). Plenty of fruit, well-handled tannins (2020 Anteprima).

IGT Toscana Rosso, Happiness: A SuperTuscan. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. 3 years in oak.

Sweet wines

Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC, Amata: 

Other activities: The Grapevine by MANVI, a bed and breakfast with panoramic views and swimming pool.

Contact

Azienda Agricola Manvi

Via di Villa Bianca 13/15

I-53045 Montepulciano (SI), Italy

Website: www.manvi.it