croce di febo, ​Montepulciano, tuscany, italy

AOC: Montepulciano
Varieties:  Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Malvasia, Canaiolo bianco, Trebbiano, Grechetto
Viticulture: Organic and biodynamic
Size: 4.4 hectares
Terroir: Clay, Limestone

Croce di Febo is Maurizio Comitini, winemaker at the estate since 1995.  Although the area has thousands of years of winemaking history, Comitini is relatively new to the tradition.  Maurizio’s mother was a professional dancer and his father was a doctor, so he is a first generation winemaker.  

The 4.4 hectares of vines range from 280m-530m in elevation.  The two highest vineyards are the ones found in town, which are also the oldest and most complex.  Western exposure for the most part. Everything has been certified organic since 2018 and is also biodynamic. Harvest takes place from a total of 10 parcels.  They don’t stomp the clusters–everything is whole cluster always.  No sulfites added at arrival to cellar and they use only indigenous yeasts.  Temperature control can be important when working this way.  

Vinification uses multiple vessels, including oak barrels from France, Hungary, and Italy, concrete eggs and tanks.  They add a small amount of SO2 after malo but before racking; most of the sulfites drop into the lees and are left behind.  Bottling occurs in accordance with the cycles of the moon.  In 2023 Croce di Febo experienced 70% loss due to mildew, so only 8000 bottles were produced.

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Producer's Website

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WINES

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G.:
​Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Colorino e Mammolo from the Pietra del Diavolo Cappuccini vineyard. Clayey limestone, rich in iron with skeleton of Travertine, Granite and Dolomite.  Spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks.  18 months in oak barrels and casks, 18 months in concrete tank, 12 months in bottle.  Bottled without clarification or filtering.  Certified organic.
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Cappucini Montepulciano D.O.C.G: 
​100% Sangiovese from the Cappucini vineyard.  500m with clayey limestone, rich in iron with skeleton of Travertine, Granite and Dolomite.  Spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks.  18 months in oak barrels and casks, 18 months in concrete tank, 12 months in bottle.  Bottled without clarification or filtering.  Certified organic.
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Appovento, Rosso di Montepulciano D.O.C.: 
Sangiovese and a small balance of Canaiolo nero collected in the red clay parcel from Cappuccini vineyard, the wildest and most indomitable one, but also the one most sheltered from the wind or Appovento as they say in these parts. This is an unusual wine for Montepulciano, light but not diluted, agile but not devoid of complexity.  Consistent to the nose, great momentum and depth in the sip. A local, thirst-quenching and versatile wine.​ ​Spontaneous fermentation in steel tanks; 24 months in small cement, earthenware and clay eggs.  Bottled without clarification or filtering.  

Pietra Vino Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G: 
100% Sangiovese from Pietra del Diavolo.  Spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks.  Aging: 18 months in cask, 18 months in concrete tank, 12 months in bottle.  Certified organic.