by Michèle Shah

Thunderstorms brought hail and 100km winds, devastating a range of Italy’s Brunello di Montalcino vineyards.  The mid-August storm was concentrated in the southwestern part of the zone, taking a path that led it from Monte Amiata to Sant’Angelo in Colle and then back to Castelnuovo del Abate near the abbey of Sant’Antimo.  The area of Sant’Angelo in Colle comprises some of Brunello’s leading estates such as Banfi, Argiano, La Poderina, Lisini and Tenuta Il Poggione

“About 35 hectares of our vineyards were damaged, while another 25 were marginally touched, leaving our most prized vineyards of Sangiovese for Brunello and varietals for our Super Tuscan cuvees unscathed,” said Castello Banfi’s Cristina Mariani-May.

Fabrizio Bindocci owner of Tenuta Il Poggione said it was the worst hailstorm he had seen in the last 30 years. “Though it is difficult to assess the total damage, it is estimated thatabout 600 hectares of production were hit, equal to between 30%-35% of the total production of IGT, Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino,” said Bindocci. “Those estates hit have lost between 10% and 70% of their production. We personally have lost 35% of our production, and we have already told our customers that there will be less wine from vintage 2008.”