About Monte Bernardi -
"PANZANO IN CHIANTI - one of top ten terroirs of Italy" - Ian D'Agata for Decanter Magazine 2016

The estate name, Monte Bernardi, dates back to 1085. The majority of the vineyards are over 40 years old, with the first wine produced in 1992. Previously the grapes were sold to neighboring farms. The Schmelzer family purchased Monte Bernardi in 2003 and has since invested great amounts of time, love and money in the vineyards, the winery and villa.

THE ESTATE
The Monte Bernardi estate extends over 53 hectares (130 acres), of which 10 hectares (24 acres), with five hectares vineyards which over 45 years. In 2001, the farm added 5 more hectares which have a long term lease, bring the total estate farmed vineyards to 15 hectares. The vineyards are situated in the hilly, southern-most region of Panzano, an area that has been acknowledged as one of the Grand Cru of Chianti Classico.

The vines are planted on a soil of a high rock content mixture, which depending on the vineyard, consists of shale (Galestro), sandstone (Arenaria) and limestone (Alberese). The vineyards are perfectly situated - standing at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level, surrounded by forests and enjoying a southern exposure, with the river Pesa flowing just a few hundred meters to the south. These factors contribute to the unique micro-climate of Monte Bernardi.
Vineyard Surface Area

Varietals



Vine Trellising System

Soil


Soil cultivation


Certification

Harvest period

Production

Farm team leaders

Agronomist / Enologist
14.8 ha, of which 10 ha are estate owned and 4.8 ha under lease (since 2011)

Sangiovese (90%), Canaiolo Nero (1.5%), the remaining varieties for the non traditional blends (Tzingarella and Tzingana): Merlot (3%), Cabernet Sauvignon (3%), Cabernet Franc (1%), Colorino (1%), and Petit Verdot (0.5%)  

Single and double Guyot and Cordon (hand pruned), vineyard ties (willow shoots)

High rock content mixture of shale (Galestro), sandstone (Arenaria) and limestone (Alberese)

Mechanical tilling between the vines, grass and cover crops in alternating rows, cover crops and composted cow manure, biodynamic preparations

Organic (certified) / biodynamic - since 2004

Late-September to Mid-October (hand harvested)

55,000 - 65,000 bottles

Roberto Mogni (winery), Rosanna Scortichini (vineyard)

Michael Schmelzer
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Listen to Levi Dalton's interview with Michael Schmelzer for the I'll Drink to That podcast 
Listen to Monty Waldin's interview with Michael Schmelzer for the Italian Wine Podcast

Brochure

Monte Bernardi brochure (English)
Monte Bernardi depliant (Italiano)
Monte Bernardi Brochüre (Deutsch)
Monte Bernardi brochure (Français)
Monte Bernardi brochure (Dutch)

Newsletter

Find out more about past vintages:
2011 / 2012 Combined Newsletter
2010 Newsletter
2009 Newsletter
2007 Newsletter
2006 Newsletter
2005 Newsletter

The villa

Visit the Villa Bernardi website
www.villabernardi.com