Conti Costanti: Montalcino’s Most Historic Estate
BY ERIC GUIDO |
Legacy matters, especially when it goes back over five hundred years. While some people take history for granted and squabble over the reputations of their forefathers, others rise to the occasion and become the epitome of that legacy. Beyond Clemente Santi, who was the key force in creating the Biondi-Santi brand, and his contributions to Montalcino, the Constanti family’s work during the same era was equally significant and is often overlooked.
The historic Conti Costanti vineyards as seen from the winery.
The Costanti family history in Montalcino goes back to the 15th century, when they defended Siena’s citizens against Florence’s attempt to take control of the territory. To this day, the family’s home, Colle al Matrichese, serves as Conti Costanti’s winery and offices. From a winemaking perspective, their history began in 1870 when Tito Costanti, a lawyer by trade who was considered a gentleman farmer, presented an 1865 Brunello at the Exhibition of the Province of Siena. The winemaking tradition continued through the twentieth century when Emilio Costanti (from another branch of the family) took control of Colle al Matrichese and resumed bottling Brunello in the 1960s. The modern-day Conti Costanti winery was established in 1982, when childless great-uncle Emilio Costanti entrusted his nephew, Andrea Costanti, with the family’s home and vineyards.
As a young man, Andrea Costanti didn’t consider a life in wine. He seldom spent any time with his great-uncle in Montalcino. Instead, Costanti studied geology at university and focused more on playing football (soccer) and scuba diving. Nevertheless, Emilio Costanti turned to his nephew for help. This was a major opportunity, yet also a large responsibility, especially for someone who lacked any enological and viticultural training. Unfortunately, Emilio Costanti died in 1983, shortly after Andrea’s arrival. “He died so suddenly. I didn’t have much chance to work with him side-by-side but learned a lot from his winery assistant,” Andrea Costanti recounts. To bridge the technical gap, Costanti quickly hired consulting oenologist Vittorio Fiore. With Fiore’s help and experience, Costanti bottled the 1977 Riserva and 1978 Brunello and harvested and vinified the 1983 Brunello.
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As a self-taught young man, Andrea Costanti immersed himself in the world of winemaking and Brunello di Montalcino. He rose to become one of the region's leading winemakers. This vertical details the last nineteen years of that evolution, showing Costanti’s blend of traditionalism and progression.
