FRANCO PACENTI

Montalcino, Italy

www.francopacenticanalicchio.it

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"Brunello insiders know that Franco Pacenti is a sure bet for well-wrought, refined, traditionally made Brunellos."

-Ian D'Agata

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In 1962, Rosildo Pacenti, convinced of his ancestral homeland's potential to produce world-class Sangiovese, purchased the Canalicchio farm located in the northern half of Montalcino on the road that leads to Buonconvento.   The winery, which used to bear the name "Canalicchio" (so named for the various manmade canals in the area and shares this reference with a handful of unrelated, but like-situated estates in this pocket of the region) has estate-bottled since 1966 and was one of just 25 original founders of the Brunello Consorzio the following year. 

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Rosildo's son, Franco, took the reigns from his father in 1988, restoring the historic cellar below the old family farm and planting new Sangiovese vines across a total of 10 hectares.    The majority of Pacenti's vineyards now surround the old farmhouse, and range from 250-300 meters above sea level with a north east exposure, providing the wines with an unmistakable freshness. 

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Traditional winemaking rules the day at Franco Pacenti.  The wines undergo an extended maceration and are aged in 20 to 30 hectoliter Slavonian and French oak barrels producing surprisingly lightweight-framed yet powerful Brunellos.  

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Today, Franco is joined by his children Lisa, Serena and Lorenzo in carrying on Rosildo's legacy, his dedication to traditionally-styled Brunello, and faith in the terroir of Canalicchio. 

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Wines

Franco Pacenti Rosso di Montalcino
Franco Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino

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