Campogiovanni
Summary
Campogiovanni is a 20-hectare estate in southeastern Montalcino focused exclusively on Sangiovese-based wines, where clay, limestone, and galestro soils at 250-300 meters elevation create ideal conditions for ripening. The estate adheres to traditional winemaking methods, fermenting in stainless steel before aging in large Slavonian oak casks, maintaining a consistent approach that honors regional heritage while expressing their warmer terroir.
Heritage & Leadership
Campogiovanni was established in the 1980s when Agricola San Felice acquired the estate in the southeastern zone of Montalcino. The property operates as a satellite estate of San Felice, which itself has been a fixture in Chianti Classico since the 1960s. Today, Campogiovanni functions under the ownership umbrella of the Allianz Group, which acquired San Felice in the late 20th century. The estate maintains its own distinct identity while benefiting from the technical expertise and resources of its parent company. The management structure integrates with San Felice's leadership team, with operations overseen by a dedicated technical staff focused specifically on maximizing the potential of this Montalcino terroir. Since acquisition, Campogiovanni has developed a focused portfolio centered on Brunello di Montalcino production, establishing itself as a consistent producer within the denomination.
Vineyards & Wines
Campogiovanni encompasses 20 hectares of vineyards situated in the southeastern quadrant of Montalcino, an area characterized by warmer growing conditions compared to the northern sections of the appellation. The vineyards sit at elevations between 250-300 meters above sea level, planted predominantly to Sangiovese, locally known as Brunello. The soils feature a mix of clay, limestone, and galestro—a friable schist typical of Tuscan vineyards that provides good drainage while retaining sufficient moisture during dry periods. The estate's flagship wine is Brunello di Montalcino, produced according to DOCG regulations, with additional production of Rosso di Montalcino and a single-vineyard Brunello Riserva called "Il Quercione." The vineyard orientation provides excellent sun exposure, contributing to consistent ripening of the Sangiovese grapes, while the southeastern position within the appellation imparts distinctive characteristics to the wines compared to those from Montalcino's northern slopes.
Philosophy & Practice
Campogiovanni adheres to traditional winemaking methods while incorporating modern technology where beneficial to quality. Harvest is conducted manually, with careful selection of fruit both in the vineyard and at the sorting table. Fermentation for the Brunello takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by aging in Slavonian oak casks ranging from 25 to 50 hectoliters in capacity. This aging process extends for the minimum 24 months required by DOCG regulations for standard Brunello, and 36 months for the Riserva, followed by additional bottle aging before release. The winemaking team focuses on expressing the distinctive character of the southeastern Montalcino terroir, producing wines that typically show riper fruit characteristics compared to their northern counterparts while maintaining structural integrity. The estate follows a precise vineyard management protocol that includes green harvesting when necessary to control yields and ensure optimal fruit concentration. This balanced approach to tradition and technology has remained consistent throughout Campogiovanni's development under San Felice ownership.