Montecucco celebrates strong year and expands international presence

After closing 2025 with an increase in bottled wine, the Montecucco consorzio is bringing its Sangiovese to Wine Paris for the first time.

As one of the smaller zones producing Tuscany’s native grapes, Montecucco does not yet have the global reach of Chianti, Chianti Classico or Brunello di Montalcino. Yet its latest figures from 2025 show appellations whose wines (led by Sangiovese in the reds and Vermentino in the whites) are increasingly in demand.

Over the year, Montecucco’s DOCs and DOCG bottled 6,114 hectolitres of wine, representing growth of 11.1% year-on-year. That means production equated to around 800,000 standard 75cl bottles of wine.

In particular, the growth trajectory in December was remarkable. Compared to the same period in 2024, bottling was up 393%, while, compared to the three-year average registered for the month of December, the increase was a staggering 663%. According to Giovan Battista Basile, president of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Montecucco, it demonstrates an increased confidence in the appellation and its fresh wines.

“Producers believe in Montecucco,” he says, “and demonstrate this every day, as does the wine press, which continues to recognise the value and quality of our DOC and DOCG wines, ready to compete with the most established appellations on the international scene.”

That appetite for competition is evident when comparing Montecucco’s performance to the broader picture. Tuscany overall showed a slight decrease in bottling in 2025, making Montecucco’s relative strength even more pronounced.

The year has not been without challenges, however. The latest harvest saw a decrease of 35% in overall production, although that was following the notably generous 2024 vintage.

Producers believe, however, that the 2025 vintage will prove itself in quality, even if not matching quantitative highs. Montecucco’s attention to sustainable viticulture and responsible resource management, meanwhile, are helping to future-proof production in the years to come.

Basile comments: “2025 closes with encouraging signals. Even after a complex year from a production standpoint, we can rely on a lively and dynamic appellation. We continue to invest in promotion and development, also thanks to OCM support programmes and regionally co-financed projects, which are essential tools to strengthen our presence on international markets.”

Going global

It may be too early to predict the 2026 harvest, but it is possible to see the direction of travel – quite literally – for the coming year. Montecucco is particularly emphasising its international appeal.

For the first time, Montecucco will exhibit at Wine Paris (Hall 5.2, Stand E234) from 9–11 February. Five wineries – Basile, Poggio Stenti, La Banditaccia, Villa Patrizia and Tenuta Pianirossi – will fly the flag for the region. Their representatives will meet the global trade and offer 26 labels from the appellation for sampling.

The stand will also serve as an information point for the Monte Amiata wine region, in the appellation’s east. The consorizio has particularly committed itself to promoting and enhancing the reputation of this region.

At home, meanwhile, the Montecucco consorzio will be a key player at L’Altra Toscana in Florence on Wednesday 18 February. The fully booked event, now in its fifth edition, highlights the more hidden sides of Tuscany as part of Anteprime di Toscana week (a preview event for the region’s wines).

Once more, the consorzio will present 26 labels at the event, which will see it join forces with eight other consorzia to promote distinctive, if under-the-radar wines.

“L’Altra Toscana is a fundamental appointment for us,” adds Basile. “It is a valuable opportunity to tell the story of an authentic territory and present wines that fully express their identity. We bring to the tasting different vintages, selected according to the style of each winery and the natural ageing potential of our wines, offering labels at the ideal moment of their evolution.”

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