(September 10, 2024; Napa, Calif.) – Dalla Terra Winery Direct® announced today that Brunello di Montalcino producer Siro Pacenti will join its group of family-owned Italian estates beginning January 1, 2025, and will be the winery’s sole USA agent.
Established in 1970 by founder Siro Pacenti with the purchase of a property north of Montalcino (Pelagrilli), Siro Pacenti is considered as one of the trailblazing boutique producers from the region, striving to produce pure expressions of Sangiovese from mature vines. Since 1988, Siro’s son Giancarlo Pacenti has managed the estate. Today, the winery’s vineyard holdings include an additional vineyard in the southern part of Montalcino (Piancornello), totaling approximately 69 planted acres.
Known for its exceptional craftsmanship and commitment to quality, the winery dedicates itself to producing elegant, distinctive and complex expressions of Sangiovese. The portfolio includes a Rosso di Montalcino DOC (SRP: $45), made with fruit from 15–25-year-old vines, and three Brunello di Montalcino wines: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Pelagrilli (vine age 25-40 years, SRP: $70) Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vecchie Vigne (vine age 40+, SRP: $150) and the Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG PS (vines from the oldest parcel at the Pelagrilli property, SRP: $330), made in only exceptional vintages.
In addition to the Siro Pacenti portfolio, Dalla Terra will also represent a new Brunello di Montalcino made by Giancarlo Pacenti under the Terre di Montalcino brand. Terre di Montalcino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (SRP: $50) is an accessible Brunello that is reflective of its origin and winemaking tradition—two core values in the Pacenti family’s approach. The fruit for Terre di Montalcino comes from estate-grown vines under 15 years of age, carefully selected and vinified to achieve a balanced, approachable style.
“I have known Giancarlo for over 30 years and have always had incredible respect and appreciation for the wines of Siro Pacenti and Giancarlo’s integrity. Great people, great winery. Being able to include these wines in the Dalla Terra portfolio is an honor,” says Dalla Terra founder Brian Larky.
“The U.S. market has grown more complex and challenging to manage, and we realized it was important to have a national importer representing our wines,” notes Giancarlo Pacenti. “Dalla Terra’s complete focus on Italy, skilled and knowledgeable team, national distribution network, and unique business model made it a perfect fit for Siro Pacenti.”
History
In 1967, Siro Pacenti became one of the founding members of the Consortium of Brunello di Montalcino. In 1970, he acquired a property, Pelagrlli, located in the north of Montalcino, a territory which benefits from the cooling influence of fresh western winds. Siro’s son Giancarlo, who embodies a philosophy of “rational viticulture,” assumed management of the estate in 1988 after studying and gaining experience in Bordeaux.
In 1990, the winery acquired an additional property to the south of Montalcino, Piancornello, which was originally planted by Giancarlo’s maternal grandfather. Today, the estate is comprised of 69 planted acres, 32 acres at Piancornello and 37 at Pelagrilli, allowing the winery to produce complex Brunello wines from distinctive terroirs within Montalcino.
Vineyards and process
Siro Pacenti’s vineyards, nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Apennine Mountains, benefit from a mild, dry climate, ensuring the gradual and complete maturation of grapes of the highest quality. Mount Amiata stands to the south at an elevation of 5,700 feet, sheltering the territory from many atmospheric events such as storms and hail.
The clay and sandy soil of Pelagrilli at the foot of the hill of Montalcino (1000-1200 feet in altitude) is home to the winery’s oldest vineyard parcels. Here, the soils of the 37-acre vineyard are rich in minerals, and proved particularly important in determining the characteristics of Siro Pacenti wines as it became the estate’s “nursery,” providing budwood for subsequent plantings.
In Piancornello, the vineyard is characterized by pebbles and crumbling rocks. The climate here is hotter, influenced by the Mediterranean Sea and resulting in fruit that is structure and powerful, with ripe, round tannins.
Siro Pacenti farms sustainably, and harvests fruit manually, parcel by parcel. In addition to rigorous selection in the vineyard, an optical sorter at the winery allows for only the most impeccable berries to be selected and used in each bottle of wine. Vinification takes place in steel and concrete vessels before being transferred to French barriques (225L) for aging. Each barrel is made and chosen specifically for the necessities of the cellar for that vintage.
“Siro Pacenti is the perfect fit for the Dalla Terra portfolio. The winery is family owned with a multi-generational commitment to produce wines of elegance, complexity and distinctiveness,” concludes Scott Ades, President of Dalla Terra. “The future is bright for Siro Pacenti, and we look forward to representing this passionate, progressive producer in the U.S. market.”
About Dalla Terra Winery Direct®
Founded in 1990, Dalla Terra Winery Direct® is a direct importer and national agent of a select group of leading, family-owned, estate wineries and distilleries in Italy. The name Dalla Terra means Of the Earth in Italian and represents a commitment to work alongside estates that have achieved reputations for top quality production in their respective regions or appellations. The wines and spirits they produce are authentic, indigenous and characterful, while embracing progressive viticulture and winemaking. Dalla Terra’s ability to adapt to an ever-changing marketplace is due to its highly curated portfolio and innovative business model. By limiting its portfolio, and partnering with only the highest quality producers, Dalla Terra ensures that its portfolio will be an unparalleled source of remarkable Italian wines and spirits. The quality of the portfolio is complemented by Dalla Terra Winery Direct’s business model which guarantees value by circumventing the traditional national importer expense of the three-tier system and enables their distributor partners to buy directly from each producer. This results in a competitive price advantage and greater value to the consumer for some of the most iconic and significant producers in Italian wine.
Contact Dalla Terra
85 Sheehy Court
Napa, CA 94558
707.259.5405
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