La Gerla

  • Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
La Gerla

Fattoria La Gerla, named for the large, old-fashioned, conical baskets that grape-harvesters used to carry on their backs, was founded in 1976 by the late Sergio Rossi. Originally from Milan, Mr. Rossi purchased the property in 1975 from Tedina Biondi-Santi, the daughter of Tancredi Biondi-Santi, who had inherited the property after her father’s passing. The purchase of what was then called the Podere Colombaio Santi included an ancient farmhouse and 6.5 hectare of vineyards. Mr. Rossi, who by then had been managing the Altesino-Caparzo estate for several years, renamed the property La Gerla and set about restoring the estate and replanting the vines using selection massale. His first vintage was 1976, making La Gerla one of the first 35 bottlers of Brunello di Montalcino; these days, there are 280. 

Today, La Gerla consists of 11.5 hectares, divided between the original 6.5 hectare vineyard in Canalicchio (Montalcino) and an additional 5 hectares in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, where Mr. Rossi was presciently the first to plant vines in earnest. The estate, now run by vineyard manager/director Alberto Passeri and winemaker Vittorio Fiore, makes five wines, all made entirely from Sangiovese Grosso, the only grape planted on the property:

  • Poggio Gli Angeli— made from young vines in Castelnuovo, in the Brunello zone but not registered as such. This wine spends 4 months in Slavonian botti.
  • Rosso di Montalcino— sourced from the same sites as the Brunello, is aged for two years, one of which is in Slavonian oak casks.
  • Birba— an IGT Toscana that is made from 100% Sangiovese; it starts as a Brunello di Montalcino and is then declassified. The only difference is that it sees about a year in barrique before moving to large Slavonian botte.
  • Brunello— a blend of both the Canalicchio and Castelnuovo vineyards. The grapes are kept cool for 7-8 days before fermentation, which lasts up to 15 days. The wine is then transferred to large 50-100hl casks and is aged for three years, racked twice a year, then bottled. It is then aged for an additional year before release. This is classic Brunello; focused and flavorful, with hints of violets and berries on the nose, a rich, velvety texture and excellent acidity.
  • Brunello gli Angeli (Riserva)— made in select years, this comes entirely from a one hectare parcel of old vines from the original Biondi-Santi site, located between 270 and 320 meters above sea level. This hillside vineyard occupies a privileged position at the estate and consistently offers beautiful and healthy fruit. The wine is kept for 4 years in 50 hectoliter Slavonian oak casks and kept for an additional year in bottle before being released.
Image Producer PRODUCT Description Country / Region

DB1181-18
Organic
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino
2018
Sangiovese
The La Gerla Brunello is a blend of both the Canalicchio and Castelnuovo vineyards; the average age of the vines is 25 years old. The...
Italy

DB1181-19
Organic
KO: 95 WA:94 VM:93
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino
2019
Sangiovese
The La Gerla Brunello is a blend of both the Canalicchio and Castelnuovo vineyards; the average age of the vines is 25 years old. The...
Italy

DB3843-17
Organic
JR:17 WE:95 VM:93 WA:93 JS:93 DE:91
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino 'La Pieve'
2017
Sangiovese
La Pieve is a single-vineyard in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, planted in 1997.  It was first released as a special botting in 2017, to celebrate...
Italy

DB3843-18
Organic
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino 'La Pieve'
2018
Sangiovese
La Pieve is a single-vineyard in Castelnuovo dell'Abate, planted in 1997.  It was first released as a special botting in 2017, to celebrate...
Italy

DB1182-18
Organic
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli
2018
Sangiovese
This single-vineyard cru is La Gerla's flagship wine. Made in select years, this comes entirely from a one-hectare parcel of old vines (25-...
Italy

DB1185-20
Organic
La Gerla Poggio gli Angeli Sangiovese IGT
2020
Sangiovese
La Gerla rents and fully farms this vineyard in Castelnuovo dell'Abate in the southern part of the appellation. The vines are 15 years old...
Italy

DB1185-21
Organic
La Gerla Poggio gli Angeli Sangiovese IGT
2021
Sangiovese
La Gerla rents and fully farms this vineyard in Castelnuovo dell'Abate in the southern part of the appellation. The vines are 15 years old...
Italy

DB1180-22
Organic
La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino
2022
Sangiovese
100% Sangiovese from hillside vineyards located at between 270-320 meters. The average age of the vines is 15 years old. La Gerla Rosso...
Italy