La Braccesca

La Braccesca is the Tuscan estate of Marchesi Antinori, straddling Montepulciano and Cortona, and owned by the Antinori family since 1990. Its name comes from a historic farm that belonged to the Counts Bracci, whose coat of arms—an armored arm brandishing a sword—still serves as the estate’s emblem today.

The property covers 508 hectares, 334 of which are under vine, divided into two large blocks: 232 hectares on the border between Montepulciano and Cortona and 103 hectares stretching toward Montepulciano, in the renowned areas of Cervognano, Santa Pia and Gracciano, among the most suited for red wines.

In the Montepulciano area, Sangiovese takes center stage, giving birth to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG La Braccesca, the selections Vigneto Santa Pia and Maggiarino, and Rosso di Montepulciano DOC Sabazio. On the slopes just below Cortona—an up-and-coming winegrowing area that has captured Antinori’s interest—Syrah thrives on clay–silt soils in a dry climate, yielding Cortona DOC Bramasole and Achelo; a small share of Merlot rounds out the picture.

The wines age in underground cellars, with separate areas for casks and barriques, using oak from France, Hungary, and the United States. The estate also welcomes visitors with guided tours of the vineyards and the winery, and tastings.

Between Vino Nobile and great Syrah, La Braccesca gracefully showcases two sides of Tuscany: Montepulciano and Cortona.