Established by Nello Baricci in 1966, Baricci is one of Montalcino’s founding producers. The estate’s small five-hectare plot is situated exclusively on the Montosoli hill in the north of Montalcino – renowned for producing distinctly elegant and aromatically complex Brunello.
Nello Baricci created the estate in 1955 when he bought an abandoned farm and surrounding vineyards on the hill of Montosoli, the first on the hill to be registered officially as part of the Brunello di Montalcino appellation in 1966. He was one of the founding members of the Brunello consortium, established in 1967, becoming Vice President and joining the Board of Directors, playing a key role as the region fought for DOCG status (which it gained in 1980).
As a boy, Baricci heard the older generation talk about how the Montosoli hill had been producing the best wines in the region for generations – long before Montalcino as a region had earnt its reputation. It was for this reason that he bought vineyards on this fabled slope, becoming the first producer to really recognise the potential for Montosoli and its distinct calcareous galestro rock terroir.
Baricci produced his first Brunello di Montalcino in the 1971 vintage. The 1983 vintage saw the estate’s Brunello awarded the first Tre Bicchieri from Gambero Rosso – the highest award from the Italian publication. Today the winery is run by the third generation of the family, Federico Buffi, who has been in charge since 2009.
