Montepulciano is the name of the third most widely planted grape variety in Italy. It is also the name of a town in Tuscany famous for producing a Sangiovese-based blend called “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano”. Ironically, there is very little of the Montepulciano grape planted in Tuscany. American consumers often confuse the grape variety Montepulciano with the Sangiovese blends produced in the town of Montepulciano.
Montepulicano in California
Both can be great wines, but they are different wines from different grapes grown in different regions.
Relatively new to California, there are only 108 acres of Montepulciano planted. Here at McEvoy Ranch, we have a small planting atop our windiest ridge in a vineyard called “Il Poggio”.
Despite the morning fog and intense afternomediumnds, the vines have thrived and produce grapes with very interesting fruit flavors and robust tannins that have been an important part of the Red Piano blend.
In 2014, we had a great harvest in both quality and quantity. It was the perfect vintage to bottle it on its own for the first time. We will continue bottling an estate Montepulciano whenever the vintage allows. Due to our climate and soil types differing from the Italian regions, our wine is more refined and complex.
We are expecting to release this wine next year.It is a uniquely Californian wine, from the cool hills of Marin County and the Petaluma Gap.
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