Luce della Vite began in 1995, as a collaborative venture between Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi, one of Tuscany’s most prestigious fine-wine producers, and Robert Mondavi, world-wide symbol of American wine. The two companies, both major figures in the wine world and similar in culture and style, shared with each other their wealth of experience.

They joined forces with the common goal of creating and offering to the international marketplace unique Tuscan wines of great distinction, from exceptional growing areas and vineyards

The current company structure, in which the Michael Mondavi family holds a financial interest, thus re-unites the two great wine families and ensures the future of the Luce della Vite project. A great future is assured under the expert guidance of the Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi.  

Grapes:         50% Sangiovese and 50% Merlot grapes from the Luce vineyard in Montalcino.

Vineyard:     16.5  hectares             

Altitude:        350M – 420M          

Vine Age:     31 years

Yield:             39HL  per hectare       

Density:        3,500 vine/hectare    

Pruning:        Spur pruned cordon

Soil:               Marl, limestone and sandstone, rich in clay and calcium

Harvest:        By Hand -  Sangiovese: mid October -  Merlot: mid of September

Winemaking:  The grapes were hand selected and then softly pressed. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at less that 35C.  Fermentation lasted 12 days and maceration approximately 28 days.  Malolactic fermentation took place immediately after alcoholic fermentation

Ageing:         24 months in French oak barriques (90% new oak and 10% used once ) followed by a further 12 months in bottle prior to release.

Serve:           At room temperature to accompany important meat dishes, stews, game and mature cheese.

Taste:            Delicate notes of wild berries, such as blueberriy and blackberry on the nose which are enriched by spicier nuances of cinnamon and nutmeg.  On the palate Luce has a velvet-textured weight, expansive fine-grained tannins, a firm structure and an endless finish.