Sustainable Wine Tasting in Montepulciano at Tuscany’s Organic and Off-the-Grid Salcheto Winery
It might seem unusual for a country like Italy to be among the first to pioneer more modern and sustainable innovations in viticulture, given its centuries-old traditions and history of making some of the world’s best wines.
But that’s just what you’ll find in a small organic winery in the Tuscan Val d’Orcia town of Montepulciano.
As you’re exploring the wines from Italy regions like Tuscany, take a detour in the Val d’Orcia to visit Salcheto.
Salcheto Winery began the process 30 years ago and today their hard work has become a sustainable model for environmental efficiencies in winemaking around the world.
So if you’re looking for sustainable wine tasting in Montepulciano, this should be your first stop.
Salcheto Winery
Organic and Off-the-Grid
As you drive along the gravel lane toward the winery, twisting and winding your way along the road beneath the medieval town of Montepulciano above, the bold organic design indeed makes a statement.
Evidence of innovation and efforts to reduce their carbon footprint are everywhere at this unique winery built into a hillside in one of Tuscany’s most iconic landscapes.
The expansive retaining wall outside is completely covered with live vines to mitigate interior temperature against the hot Tuscan sun.
The spacious patio outside seems a perfect fit for outdoor wine overlooking the beautiful view in the distance, and all around are a most unusual site. A dozen or so clear round bubbles about two feet in diameter bubble upward from the ground like small mushrooms.
A closer look reveals the simple yet brilliant innovation behind the design. Since Salcheto is built into the ground to take advantage of the Earth’s perfect temperatures for wine storage, the lucite bubbles are light tubes which magnify and allow light in from the outside down to the lowest levels of the winery below.
Salcheto is an organic and biodynamic winery, rooted in the home of Nobile wine in the southeast of Siena, Tuscany.
The mission of their viticulture company is to produce territorial wines, using strictly organic ingredients produced in a model that’s entirely “off-the-grid” to maximize environmental efficiency and technological innovation.
The fact that their wines are also very good makes Salcheto one of the best wineries in Montepulciano.
Efficiency and Innovation
It’s impressive to see the commitment to that efficiency and sustainability displayed every step along the production process — from their completely organic method of composting for fertilizer, their energy independent cellar system, their use of wooden materials like their corks sourced from the responsibly managed forest, a responsible and restrained use of water, and clean soil maintenance through the use of biodynamics.
Even the labels for their wine bottles use recycled paper.
Wine Tasting in Montepulciano
The Enoteca, or wine bar, at Salcheto is open daily and serves brunch with tastings, or you can order an a la carte lunch with tastings. Take a cellar tour, or enjoy wine by the glass to find your favorite.
The lunches are traditional Tuscan dishes using and healthy ingredients and traditional methods.
We tasted some favorites like a cheese and charcuterie platter, but the Tuscan bread soup known as Pappa al Pomodoro was easily my favorite — all of my beloved and fresh ingredients of tomatoes, bread, farro, and fresh basil in one dish!
We also tried some other Tuscan inspired dishes which were equally delicious like the fresh-tasting farro salad.
The winery at Salcheto also has several suites on site housed in a 13th-century farmhouse in the heart of the estate, with 9 rooms with a lounge and kitchen, to allow guests to live the experience of the Tuscan countryside through many perspectives, from the culture of beauty to wine and relaxation.
All rooms have air conditioning and breakfast is included in your stay. In the furnished garden, hot tubs are available, powered by natural wood heat.
Salcheto Wines
So how is their wine? We thought they were excellent. Some of the younger wines here are aged four months in stainless steel before heading to the bottle, while others are aged for much longer in Slovenian Oak and French Oak casks.
Their best wines under their Salco label are produced from vines 35 years old and older — their most mature vines — then aged two years in wooden barrels for another four in the bottle. Their Salcheto nobile di Montepulciano is especially worth a try!
With such time, care, and innovation devoted to producing organic grapes and a sustainable business, it’s no surprise their Italian Montepulciano wine is some of the most sophisticated wine we tasted in all of Tuscany.
If You Go
Salcheto Winery, Via di Villa Bianca, 15 53045 Montepulciano (SI) - Italy
