FONTERENZA
FRANCESCA + MARGHERITA PADOVANI

The Fonterenza vineyards are located in the south-east area of Montalcino at about 420m above sea level. The estate is run by two sisters Margherita and Francesca Padovani – for whom the estate was a childhood retreat from the bustling city of Milan where they grew up.
Margherita planted the first vines on the estate in 1999 and was joined soon thereafter by her sister to run the estate. In 2002 and 2005 another 4ha of vines (Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon) were planted.

Right from the beginning Margherita and Francesca agreed not to use and kind of chemicals in their vineyards, which quickly led them to an interest in biodynamics and eventually minimal-intervention winemaking.

All the work carried out in the vineyard is done manually following the lunar phases and the Biodynamic calendar. Grapevine diseases are combated through the use of only sulfur and copper, alternating with natural anti-acidic and anti-peronospora agents, assisted by the use of propolis, infusions, macerates or herbal teas from different plants, including yarrow, chamomile, horsetail, nettle and willow.