Her professional career which culminates at the illustrious winery in Panzano in Chianti, is based upon a profound connection with nature in all its expressions.
January 29th – In a wine world steeped in tradition and history, the winemaker Serena Gusmeri has succeeded in transforming a company among the Tuscan vineyards into one of the most dynamic realities of the Italian wine scene, appreciated today also on an international level.
The story of Serena Gusmeri, winemaker and agronomist at Vecchie Terre di Montefili, is a mix of passion and dedication for nature. Raised at the foot of the Lombardy Alps in Brescia, Serena learned from a very young age to live in harmony with nature. A childhood spent among a family allotment and the chickens in the yard inspired her deep connection to the earth: “Nature has always been in my soul”, says Serena, “living with it and doing things with my hands has always made me happy.”
Her path in the world of oenology began at the University of Verona and was enriched with the achievement of a master’s degree in Milan, passing through Australia, where she wrote her thesis. After her studies, Serena spent a year and a half in Franciacorta specializing in the production of sparkling wines and then moved to Campania, between Benevento and Ischia. It is here that her distinctive approach developed. Over the years in Southern Italy, Gusmeri studied the behavior of plants, emphasizing their aptitudes without corrections and reached a fundamental awareness: each vineyard is unique, shaped by the ecosystem that surrounds it. “No vineyard can ever be the same as another”, underlines Gusmeri, “the richness of the native vines in Italy depends on the ecosystem and the environment in which they can best express themselves. I want to produce grapes that are truly representative of each harvest, without manipulation”, confirms Serena.
Destiny led her to join Vecchie Terre di Montefili in the autumn of 2015. The project was devised during significant meetings between Nicola, Frank and Tom, three American entrepreneur friends in love with Tuscany. Serena’s first visit to Vecchie Terre di Montefili was a revelation; walking among the vineyards, she immediately understood that this was the place where she wanted to live and work.
Serena has completely immersed herself in the environmental and corporate context of Vecchie Terre di Montefili from the beginning with the aim of expressing its essence, strong in the conviction that every single corner of the land is a world in itself with individual requirements and a unique story. This approach is applied in the vineyard in the choice to treat every single hectare as a wine in itself, and in the cellar where spontaneous fermentations and long aging in medium and large barrels have become the key to perceiving the soul of Vecchie Terre di Montefili in every single bottle. When the fruit is good, in fact, the role of the winemaker in the cellar is only to delicately facilitate the journey from the grapes to the wine.
From Chianti Classico, up to the Super Tuscans Anfiteatro and Bruno di Rocca, each bottle tells a different story, with specific choices to allow each vintage to express itself. “I am convinced that the true secret of wine lies in respect for the land and in listening carefully to the vines. Vecchie Terre di Montefili is a unique place that I am lucky enough to be able to express in every single bottle.”
With sensitivity and skill, the winemaker guides Vecchie Terre di Montefili towards new heights. The first harvest was critically acclaimed, marking the rise of Vecchie Terre di Montefili’s star in the wine scene of the Chianti Classico denomination. “In our small way we will be able to tell a beautiful story of Chianti Classico and Sangiovese, respectful and with solid roots. We have done a lot in a short time, we have concentrated our energies on sustainability and on the knowledge of each individual vineyard to express what mother nature has given us in terms of diversity of soils, altitude, and balance. The path has been traced and we will continue on this with conviction.”
There are some ambitious projects in the future of Vecchie Terre di Montefili. In addition to Sangiovese, in 2024 lesser-known vines will find space, such as Ciliegiolo, and a new label will be presented that embodies the identity of the company’s production philosophy.
The female leadership of the oenologist, now at the head of an international team, is characterized by the balance between intelligence, competence and listening skills and Serena Gusmeri advises young people aspiring to a similar career: “have the desire to leave, to discuss, to ask and to do. Every change is growth, I learned a lot from others, and I put myself on the line by living my being a woman with absolute serenity. For me the word challenge is connected to the vineyard, to the weather conditions, to the many aspects that my workplaces before me, never to people.”
Vecchie Terre di Montefili: brief company profile
Vecchie Terre di Montefili is located on the top of the panoramic hill Monte Fili of very ancient origins and from which it takes its name. It covers a vineyard area of 12.5 hectares in the municipality of Greve in Chianti, straddling two Chianti Classico UGA (Additional Geographical Unit): Panzano and Montefioralle. For over 20 years, it has been part of Italy’s first organic district (Panzano).
In this place where history, nature and winemaking tradition have always been intertwined, the extraordinary adventure began that united the destiny of three American friends passionate about Italy, Nicola Marzovilla, Frank Bynum and Tom Peck Jr., and that of the expert winemaker Serena Gusmeri. From their passion for the microcosm of Montefili, its panoramas, its vineyards and their respect for nature, excellent products are born, awarded and recognized internationally, which tell of the heart of Chianti Classico and the Tuscan territory.
The first Sangiovese vineyard named “Anfiteatro” dates back to 1975, which was followed by further plantings thanks to the new ownership and a careful, innovative and sustainable approach to production by the oenologist and agronomist from Brescia at the head of the company.
