may 9, 2024
Ancient tales, brave winemakers
Discover San Guglielmo
From the moment I first heard of her, I was captivated by Ilaria Martini‘s courageous approach to the wine business. A journey that, for her, was a poignant return to her family’s roots.
In the rolling hills of Montalcino, nestled at an elevation of approximately 450 meters above sea level, on a terrain of ‘galestro’ and ‘palombini, a dream took shape in the early 2000s.
It was a dream that unfolded gradually, born from challenges, sacrifices, and perhaps reconciliations with the land itself.
This dream found its roots in the story of San Guglielmo, a tale that traces back to Nonno Guglielmo, one of the founding members of the Brunello Consortium in 1967. Together with his sons, he tended to what would now be considered a fully-fledged agricultural estate – complete with animals, wheat fields, vegetable patches, olive groves, and eventually vineyards. However, the tumultuous years spanning the 1960s and ’70s saw many, including her father, depart from Montalcino, to find work in the nearby city of Grosseto.
Despite the distances that life often demands, the bond with the land remained unbreakable. Mario, driven by a deep-seated desire to remain rooted in this cherished soil, made an investment not too far from his birthplace. Thus began the second chapter of the San Guglielmo saga in the early ’90s. Initially, Mario dedicated his spare time to cultivating a two-hectare olive grove, which would later make way for an unmistakable vineyard in the early 2000s.
And so, San Guglielmo winery was born – a modest vineyard surrounded by the untamed beauty of the Mediterranean scrubland, an essential partner in maintaining the climatic equilibrium of our surroundings. Among the distinguishing features of its terroir, they proudly highlight the sweeping view of Siena and the sea breeze that travels up from Maremma.
San Guglielmo is a family affair, as it should be. Today, Ilaria Marini is grateful for the invaluable support of her life partner, Michael Peter Motiu, affectionately known as Mike to everyone. Hailing from Transylvania, Romania, Mike brings a friendly demeanor and adds a touch of humor to their lives, with Ilaria often teasing him about being the reason behind her “pale” complexion, given Transylvania’s association with Dracula.
The land of Montalcino is their legacy, their vineyards, and they are committed to overseeing every stage of winemaking, from vineyard to cellar, right through to bottling. With equal dedication, they tend to environmental considerations, striving for sustainable production practices.
Their debut offerings to the market include the Brunello DOCG 2016 and the Rosso DOC 2019, totaling eleven thousand bottles. Each vintage distinct in its own right, yet both embodying precise characteristics that reflect their ethos and vision.
In San Guglielmo, I was captivated not only by the warmth and dedication of Ilaria and the friendly demeanor of Mik, but also by the diverse array of Brunello di Montalcino vintages spanning from 2016 onwards.
Each bottle bore a true reflection of Sangiovese, the king of Montalcino, embodying the essence of its respective vintage with unwavering respect for the land.
Among them, the 2018 vintage stood out—a powerful fusion of fruit and nuanced complexity that rendered each sip utterly irresistible.
In a premium wine world where acclaimed vintages steal the spotlight, we often overlook the true resilience and artistry required in crafting wines from the most challenging harvests. Because I truly like San Guglielmo approach even in challenging vintages, I invited Mike to join me and my co-host Mark Norman for an insightful Linkedin Live Event ‘Meet the WineMaker | Pouring Tuscan Stories, one bottle at the time’, which will live-stream on May 28th at 6pm CET.
We are going to delve into the untold stories of San Guglielmo in Montalcino: from battling adverse weather to overcoming unexpected hurdles, tune in as he will share firsthand the profound pride woven into each bottle born from adversity!
Would you like to enjoy San Guglielmo’s exceptional wines
but can’t make to Italy or find it nearby?
No worries!
I’ll be more than happy to ship the finest expressions of
Brunello di Montalcino San Guglielmo, vintage 2018, straight to your door
(nearly) worldwide.