march, 12 2026
A Brunello release…
in the middle of the night
Reading Time: 4 mins
A Brunello release… in the middle of the night.
A few months ago, while talking with Luciano from SanLorenzo in Montalcino about the release of the new Brunello di Montalcino 2021, I had a thought.
Why present a new vintage the same way we always do?
In the wine world, announcements often arrive through a classic email, maybe a press release, maybe a tasting at a fair. All perfectly fine. But sometimes I feel that wine deserves something a little more alive. Something closer to the people who actually drink it.
So this year I challenged Luciano a little.
“What if,” I told him, “instead of just sending an email, we present the new vintage together… live?”
Real time. A streaming tasting. With people joining from the United States.
Now, if you know Luciano, you also know that this meant stepping a bit outside his comfort zone. Like many Italian producers, he does not speak English every day. And honestly, neither do I perfectly.
But that was also part of the beauty of it.
Wine is not about perfect grammar. It is about authenticity.
And so, a few nights ago, we found ourselves doing something slightly surreal: sitting in Tuscany, in the middle of the night, talking about Brunello to people who were comfortably enjoying their evening in America.
Some of Luciano’s clients even had the opportunity to purchase a tasting case in advance and follow the live session with the wines in front of them. Seeing the comments arrive in real time, questions popping up from across the ocean, and glasses being raised thousands of miles away… reminded me once again how wine can truly connect people.
If you did not have the chance to join the live session, you can now watch the full recording here.
What I love most about working with the wineries I collaborate with is exactly this: the freedom to experiment together.
The wine world has an extraordinary history and traditions we must protect. But I also believe that we cannot simply repeat the same models forever.
Sometimes all it takes is a small idea. A little courage.
And perhaps… a live tasting in the middle of the night from Tuscany.
And who knows. Maybe this is just the beginning!
Thank you for reading and for being part of this journey.
From Tuscany, with gratitude and a raised glass,
Claudia 🍷
Because at the end of the day, Tuscany is not just a place you visit. It’s something you feel. And once you’ve felt it, even just a little, it has a way of staying with you.
Maybe that’s why I keep leaving… and always find my way back.
This article tells the story of an earlier Tuscan Escape. For the current programme and upcoming edition, visit the Tuscan Escape page and get in touch with me.
PS: A few of you already got a sneak peek of my very new project last week… and let’s just say it made me even more excited about what’s coming next. It’s something very close to my heart, and I can’t wait to share it with all of you soon.
By Claudia Callegari, DipWSET Level 4 Certified sommelier. I lead private wine tastings at Tuscan villas, visits to small wineries and the Toscana Wine Club.
Reviewed and updated on October 20, 2026.
