The Cooperation Award, dedicated to social wineries, saw Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano, a small Tuscan cooperative winery that has seen a surge in the quality of its wines in recent years, come out on top. It is also marking an important point in market segmentation with its Cantina del Redi project.
In the heart of Tuscany, where the hills of the Valdichiana meet the foothills of the Val d’Orcia, lies Tuscany’s oldest winemaking cooperative: the Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano. Founded in 1937, thanks to the vision of 14 producers, the winery has been a point of reference for hundreds of conferring members for nearly a century: there are currently nearly 400 of them with an estate of about a thousand hectares under vine.
The cooperative has developed over time to become the largest producer of Nobile di Montepulciano with about 1,200,000 bottles. But in addition to the focus on the Montepulciano area and Nobile, it also insists on the provinces of Arezzo and Perugia, thus covering two regions and three provinces with other very interesting appellations: Cortona, home of Syrah, Chianti and the now forgotten Bianco Vergine della Valdichiana.
A forward-looking presidency
The winery’s great innovation comes in the last 7 years, after a long period of qualitative tarnish and suboptimal relations with the private production fabric of the denomination. Protagonist of this revolution is the presidency of Andrea Rossi, who succeeded in enhancing its potential and triggering a profound path of evolution, between technological innovation, sustainability and territorial enhancement.
Obtaining the Equalitas certification of corporate sustainability was the first objective, followed by an intervention in the social fabric of Montepulciano with the management of the green space around Nottola Hospital. Then the NO.MO.S project. (Sustainable Nobile di Montepulciano), a wine that combines environmental sustainability and social engagement, thanks to the involvement of Coop Beta Due and the Maia foundation for the inclusion of frail people at work. (This project has been awarded for its concreteness and vision not only by us at DoctorWine but also by many magazines.) So gender equality policies with UNI/PdR 125 certification.
On the financial side important results have been achieved that have given greater solidity to the cooperative such as the doubling of turnover, which is now around sixteen million with the same amount of debt, and a significant disposal of wine stocks present in the cellar. The customer reception areas have been expanded with a very nice and functional new building, and the winery has also seen major improvements on both the bottling and some of the barrel present.
Technical and qualitative growth
From a technical point of view, the quality of the wines has risen a lot thanks to the step change that began with consulting winemaker Umberto Trombelli and continued with Lorenzo Landi which allowed the winery to obtain our recognition (the facet) for the Nobile Pieve Cervognano Cantina del Redi 2021. A brand, this one from Redi, that had been somewhat tarnished but has now gained new momentum, offering wines of excellent quality and positioning itself in the ho.re.ca. segment.
A path of shared growth, interview with Andrea Rossi
We met with Andrea Rossi to talk about the new direction of Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano.
How did your journey in the Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano begin?
I began with great respect for those who had built this reality before me, trying to understand the internal dynamics and the authentic value of collective work. Over time, I had the opportunity to follow important projects that allowed me to grow together with the cooperative.
What have been the most significant moments of this journey?
Certainly the phase of reorganization and renewal that we have undertaken in recent years. It has been a period of challenges, but also of great enthusiasm. We have invested in technology and training, but without ever losing sight of the identity of our cooperative.
La Vecchia Cantina is the oldest cooperative entity in Tuscany. How do you manage such an important legacy?
With great responsibility. Being part of a cooperative with this history means guarding the work and trust of generations of winemakers. At the same time, we must have the courage to innovate. Respect for our roots cannot become immobility; rather, it is the basis on which we can build the future.
How has the cooperative changed in recent years?
Today Vecchia Cantina is more open, more aware and more focused on sustainability. We have improved production processes, focusing on quality and traceability, but also on dialogue with members and the public. Food and wine tourism, for example, has become a fundamental channel: we tell the story of wine through direct experiences, tastings, visits and moments of sharing that restore authenticity.
Is there an accomplishment you are particularly proud of?
Yes, the collective awareness we have been able to build. Today, members perceive the cooperative not only as a place of contribution, but as a living community. Working together, sharing strategies and goals, feeling part of a common project-this is the real strength of the Old Winery.
How do you see the future of the cooperative?
I see it as dynamic and full of opportunities. Our commitment will be to continue to grow by focusing on three key words: quality, sustainability and identity. Each bottle must tell not just a wine, but a story: that of a land, a group of people and a way of working that combines rural tradition and contemporary vision.
In conclusion
Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano is a cooperative reality that has been able to renew itself without losing its soul. At a time in history when the value of territory and sustainability are at the center of debate, Montepulciano’s experience proves that unity, sharing and foresight remain the most authentic ingredients of success.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Pieve Cervognano Cantina del Redi 2021
95/100
€ 90.00
90% Sangiovese, 10% native grape varieties. 20hl barrels. Classic ruby. Hints of blackberries, tobacco, dark floral notes, light spice. Elegant medium texture with refined tannins and a lovely harmonious, classy progression to a compelling, persistent and elegant finish.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Pieve Sant’Ilario 2021 Cantina del Redi
94/100
$65.00
90% Sangiovese, 10% native grape varieties. 20-hl barrels. Ruby red. Intense nose between dark spices, black fruits and violet flowers. Fresh and elegant mouthfeel, flavorful, firm but not intrusive tannins, intense and long finish.
Rosso di Montepulciano 2024 Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano
91/100
$8.00
80% Sangiovese, 20% complementary varietals. Steel on the lees a few months. Bright ruby. Intense raspberry and cherry on the nose. Light texture with resolved tannins and a freshness of flavor that bewitches.
