Luce della Vite, commonly known as Luce, is a prestigious winery located in the heart of Montalcino, Tuscany. Established in the 1990s as a collaboration between two iconic wine families, the Frescobaldis of Tuscany and Robert Mondavi of California, Luce has quickly risen to prominence, producing wines that beautifully marry the traditions of Tuscany with a modern approach to winemaking.
The Luce project began in 1995, driven by the vision of Vittorio Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi. Their goal was to create a wine that reflected both the historic winemaking heritage of Tuscany and the innovative spirit of California. The partnership brought together centuries of expertise, as the Frescobaldi family has been involved in viticulture since the 14th century, while Robert Mondavi was a pioneering figure in the Napa Valley.
Located in the hills of Montalcino, the estate covers 192 hectares, of which 55 are planted with vineyards. The estate benefits from an ideal terroir, characterized by its unique combination of soil, climate, and altitude, which provides perfect conditions for growing Sangiovese and Merlot grapes.
Terroir of Tuscany:
Montalcino’s terroir is renowned for its diversity and quality, making it one of Italy’s most prestigious wine regions. The vineyards at Luce are situated at an elevation ranging from 350 to 420 meters above sea level, which allows for excellent sunlight exposure and temperature variation. This altitude, combined with the region’s well-drained, rocky soils, rich in clay and limestone, contributes to the complexity and elegance of the wines.
The climate in Montalcino is Mediterranean, characterized by warm summers and mild winters, with a significant diurnal temperature variation that helps to maintain the grapes’ acidity and freshness. These conditions are ideal for the cultivation of Sangiovese, Tuscany’s noble grape, and Merlot, which brings softness and richness to the blends.
The winemaking process at Luce is a careful balance of tradition and innovation. The grapes are hand-harvested and undergo a rigorous selection process to ensure only the best fruit is used. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by ageing in French oak barrels. This approach allows the wines to develop their full potential, marrying the vibrant fruit flavours with the complexity imparted by the oak.
Wines produced at Luce:
Luce is best known for its flagship wine, Luce, which is a unique blend of Sangiovese and Merlot. This wine exemplifies the philosophy of the estate, combining the structure and elegance of Sangiovese with the opulence and roundness of Merlot. The result is a wine of great depth, complexity, and ageing potential, with rich aromas of red berries, spices, and hints of tobacco and leather. On the palate, it offers a harmonious balance of fruit, acidity, and tannins, leading to a long, persistent finish.
In addition to the flagship Luce, the estate produces several other notable wines, including Lucente, a second wine made primarily from Merlot and Sangiovese, offering a more approachable yet still sophisticated expression of the estate’s terroir. The estate also produces a Brunello di Montalcino, showcasing the purest expression of Sangiovese from Montalcino’s esteemed vineyards.