Montalcino

Montalcino is a town and comune in the province of Siena, in the Tuscany region of central Italy. It sits on a hill overlooking the Orcia valley, about 40 kilometers southeast of Siena, and preserves a well‑defined medieval historic center enclosed by defensive walls. The Fortezza Medicea, a fortress built in the 14th and 15th centuries by the Medici family, dominates the town’s skyline and stands as a reminder of its strategic importance in the region.

The surrounding countryside is characterized by vineyards, olive groves, and rolling hills that form part of the broader Tuscan landscape. The Abbey of Sant’Antimo, a Cistercian monastery dating from the early medieval period, lies nearby and is a notable religious site associated with the area’s cultural heritage.

Wine is the cornerstone of Montalcino’s international reputation. The town is the cradle of Brunello di Montalcino, a DOCG wine produced exclusively from Sangiovese Grosso grapes grown on the hill slopes around the town. Brunello di Montalcino is recognized as one of Italy’s leading red wines, often requiring extended aging in wooden barrels. In addition, Rosso di Montalcino is produced in the same general area under its own DOC.

The economy is driven by wine production and related tourism, along with agriculture and local services. Visitors come for winery tastings and cellar tours, as well as for the town’s historic streets, architectural heritage, and scenic Countryside views that characterize this part of southern Siena Province.