Salcheto

In the beginning, hardly anyone believed that this forward-looking project could be successful. But oenologist Michele Manelli has succeeded in trimming the Salcheto winery in Montepulciano, named after a stream, to sustainability with a very competent team. In order to keep environmental pollution within very narrow limits, there is no electrical light in the basement, for example. Lighting is provided exclusively via light shafts and mirror systems that direct daylight into even the remotest corners. In addition, the Emilia-based tile expert and visionary estate manager was the first winemaker in the world to have the CO2 footprint of a bottle of wine certified. In addition to climate-damaging emissions, water consumption in the vineyard and cellar is also minimised. In addition, a biodiversity index was designed to monitor the biological quality of the soil and the ecosystem on the estate. The Azienda Agricola Salcheto has been named Green Winery of the Year 2014 by the Wine Guide Gambero Rossofor its pioneering ecological role.

Since it began producing wine in 1987, the winery, which has evolved from a classic farm, has almost exclusively used the Prugnolo Gentile grape variety, as Sangiovese is called in the small West Tuscan cultivation zone. Vinification takes place according to the following method "Governo Toscano". Domestic yeasts are used in the fermentation process and no sulphur is added. Determine in the ripening cellar "dope" and tonneaus the overall picture.

The success of Manellis' ecological adventure, which began in 1997 and was based uncompromisingly on biodynamics, can be seen above all in a wine. In the past, for example, each vintage of the Vino Nobile Salco Evoluzione, accompanied by many experiments, reached a reliably high level. This wine, which comes from the most important vineyard of Salco and is named after a willow tree that is widespread in the growing area, is only sold six years after the grape harvest. Salcheto's wines are authentic, elegant and soft. They have distinctive aromas and perfectly reflect the terroirs of the individual vineyards.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the Montepulciano-based winery presented the "Bordolese Toscanella" a new environmentally friendly bottle. It should be the lightest wine bottle available on the market. Its elegant shape evokes memories of the history of noble Tuscan drops. 

The Salcheto Winery is one of the 24 wineries worldwide to be awarded the "Robert Parker Green Emblem" in 2021. This certification is awarded by one of the most important international wine critics' media: Robert Parker's "Wine Advocate". This rare distinction is only awarded to producers who are committed to sustainability, long-term environmental protection and biodiversity. Once a winery has received the award, all of its wines will bear the coveted "Robert Parker Green Emblem". SUPERIORE.DE

"The Salcheto winery, built in 2011, is fully fueled by renewable energy, thanks to geothermic energy to cool temperatures, biomass heating technology, solar panels, reflecting surfaces and shafts that direct sunlight deep into the underground fermentation and aging areas thanks to a complicated exchange of mirrors and tubes. Rainwater and wastewater are collected, purified and recycled, and the entire property is planted to grapevines and local willow trees ("salice" in Italian, from which Salcheto takes its name) to help offset emissions." Robert Parker