WINES OF CENTRAL ITALY
69
Monastero
Established in 2000 by oenologist Alessandro Cellai, Monastero was created with the sole aim of making
two great wines: Pinot Nero and Campanaio. Pinot Nero, although not easily adapted to conditions in
Italy, is considered to be one of the best grape varieties in the world, capable of producing wines of
extraordinary elegance and harmony. Konrad Winzer, a contemporary sculptor and friend of the estate,
lent his artistic talents to creating the unique labels for these wines.
“Campanaio” Toscana IGT
Made from equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Campanaio is the result of meticulous attention
starting with the selection of the plants themselves. Alessandro Cellai began by searching for superior
rootstocks and clones and quickly found a passion. His painstaking efforts have resulted in a wine of
considerable personality, one that fully shows the characteristics of the international favorites without
disguising the unique aspects of the local terroir.
“La Pineta” Pinot Nero Toscana IGT
While Pinot Nero is capable of producing wines of extraordinary elegance and harmony, it sometimes
has difficulty adapting to conditions in Italy. To succeed with this grape in a land known for indigenous
varietals, Alessandro Cellai had to approach every operation in the vineyard and the cellar meticulously.
For example, he found that allowing the skins to macerate with dry ice prior to fermentation brought
out more finessed perfumed aromas. The wine’s name takes inspiration from the surrounding pine
forests, as “La Pineta” translates to “pine tree.”