Monte Bernardi Olio Extravergine di Oliva

Olio Extravergine di Oliva from Monte Bernardi

Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva: a green piece of Tuscany in a bottle

At Monte Bernardi family winery in Chianti Classico, the world-famous wine-growing region between Florence and Siena, you will find around 1,000 olive trees as well as autochthonous and international grape varieties. Michael Schmelzer, owner of the Monte Bernardi winery, cultivates the Frantoio, Correggiolo and Moraiolo varieties here - and of corse, just like the vineyards, the olive trees are cultivated according to Rudolf Steiner’s biodynamic principles. After manual harvesting, the olives are cold pressed and the oil is bottled after a careful filtration. Only 1,000 to 1,200 liters of this precious, green-luminous gold are produced each year. When you open the bottle, the flavor is marked by aromatic scents of grass and artichoke. The taste of Olio Extravergine di Oliva from Monte Bernardi is strong and spicy. Simply typical Tuscany!

Monte Bernardi: a winery between tradition and innovation

Monte Bernardi is a name that is not unknown in the wine world. Numerous national and international awards speak for the high quality of the winery. Since 2003 owner and oenologist is Michael Schmelzer. He was born in the USA, his father comes from Germany and he himself learned the craft of viticulture in Australia - a truly international blend. But Michael also attaches great importance to reviving old traditions and techniques of viticulture. This has been accompanied by a return to the leading Tuscan variety the Sangiovese. It is not for nothing that some friends like to call the winegrower "Mr. Sangiovese". And it was against this background and with this knowledge that Michael Schmelzer decided to cultivate the vines, some of which are over 50 years old today, according to Rudolf Steiner’s biodynamic principles. Michael is convinced that this is the only way to best harmonise the terroir, the ultimate quality and at the same time the harmony between the vineyards and the environment.

Vino rosso, Rosé & Olio: the taste of Panzano!

In the hills south of Panzano you will find the top vineyards of Monte Bernardi - 15 hectares of vineyards on a total of 45 hectares of land belong to the estate. The autochthonous Sangiovese and Canaiolo grape varieties grow here under ideal climatic conditions and on perfect soils. Michael Schmelzer uses these for the Chianti Classico Retromarcia, which consists of 100% Sangiovese, as well as for the two Chianti Classico Riserva - Monte Bernardi and Sa’etta. Michael also produces his rosé  from Sangiovese and Canaiolo with the addition of Malvasia and Trebbiano white wines, which are also local varieties. The international grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot are used for the Tzingana - the super tuscan in the Monte Bernardi range - and for its "little brother", the Tzingarella. Thus  two different wine styles emerge, but they have one thing in common: they unmistakably reflect the terroir of Panzano. And the olive trees from which the Olio Extravergine di Oliva is made also grow in the hills of Monte Bernardi.