The territory of the Val D’Orcia expresses a wide range of agricultural products of excellence, many of which are under the protection of specific brands that guarantee the origin and quality. Among the local products we find mainly: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG wine, wine doc Orcia, Pienza pecorino cheese, saffron, the extra virgin olive oil, honey, cereals, Cinta Senesa pig DOP, cattle breed Chianina IGP.
The strengths of these agricultural activities are the specialization on local speciality products and the increase of agricultural farms that are sensitive to environmental issues.
Wine
Are exclusively made within city limits of the Town of Montalcino: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Moscadello di Montalcino DOC, and Sant’Antimo DOC.
Brunello di Montalcino, The Story of a Great Wine
Brunello di Montalcino traces its roots to the 19th century when local farmers began experimenting
with a native grape variety cultivated in the surrounding territory.
This grape, known as “Brunello” or “Brunellino”, was identified as a variety of Sangiovese.
The delectable wine produced from this fruit can be aged for years, richly enhancing its value.
The founding father of Brunello di Montalcino was Clemente Santi. In 1869, his 1865 vintage was awarded a silver medal by the Agrarian Committee of Montepulciano. In the years following, this Brunello was awarded other significant international recognition, and was preferred to French wine even in Paris and Bordeaux.
For several years, Brunello remained a prestigious wine, the province of just a few refined connoisseurs. Only in the second half of the 20th century did it transition from an exquisite delicacy known by the elite to an international symbol of the finest Italian wine.
Efforts to market Brunello took off in the ‘70s, but the global market was only conquered after 1980, thanks to the growing number of wineries and bottles produced. Montalcino also led the way in wine tourism, with the first open cellars, guided tours, and a region that welcomes thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. Countless acknowldgements attest to the quality of the wine: in 1999, “Wine Spectator” listed Brunello among the 12 best wines of the 21st century. In 2006, Brunello was crowned the absolute best in a worldwide ranking.
(da Consorzio del vino Brunello)
Wineries
The wineries producing Brunello are over 200. Click on the link for details.
https://www.consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it/en/592/cantine
Food
Typical Products: Cold cuts from “Cinta Senese” (Salumi di cinta senese); Pecorino cheese (Pecorino) ; Olive oil (Olio d’oliva); Meat (Carne); Honey (Miele); Saffron (Zafferano)
Saffron
Saffron is a very precious spice that has been cultivated in Val d’Orcia since the Middle Ages. It is a totally natural product, whose history is lost in the mists of time.
Saffron is obtained from the stigmas of Crocus sativus, a perennial herbaceous plant of the iridaceae family. In autumn it has leaves similar to blades of grass and pinkish lilac flowers.
It is widely used in cooking to prepare meat, fish, rice-based dishes and desserts. The intense and persistent aroma and the bitter aroma that characterizes it makes it one of the most precious and expensive spices in the world that gives color and taste to all your dishes
It has therapeutic properties, reduces stress and speeds up metabolism. In the past it was considered a true energizer and natural aphrodisiac.
Experiences
The Natural, Artistic and Cultural Park of Val D’Orcia
In a valley of magic, history, culture and tradition in the southern part of the Siena province spreads the Natural Artistic and Cultural Park of Val D’Orcia. Five town councils are part of it: Castiglione D’Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, San Quirico D’Orcia and Radicofani.
The idea to create the Park was born at the end of the eighties by will of the local bodies to ensure the natural and artistic heritage was preserved, trying to create and develop an innovative tool to ensure the development and valorization especially to guarantee the protection and safeguard of a territory modeled andv shaped over the centuries by man with the care he had shown in respecting and interpreting its balance even when nature was hostile. It’s landscape in the greatest majority of cases is that of the “sea of Creta” described by the pilgrims of the Middle Ages who traveled the Via Francigena which crosses the Valley, but as the Unesco inscription says it is especially the landscape of “Good Government”, as revealed by the historic iconography and by the largest majority of the Sienese School.
MONTALCINO
A year of initiatives
FEBRUARY
BENVENUTO BRUNELLO
The event that celebrates the famous Brunello di Montalcino each year. Presentation and tastings
https://www.consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it/it/home/home
https://www.orodimontalcino.it/
BRUNELLO CROSSING
Running race through the vineyards of Montalcino
https://www.brunellocrossing.it/
MARCH TO DECEMBER
TRENO NATURA
The most beautiful landscapes of the lands of Siena aboard a vintage steam train
https://www.fondazionefs.it/content/fondazionefs/it/link/treno-natura-toscana.html
MAY
L’EROICA
It is a cyclostorica on white roads that takes place in the enchanting area of the 209 km route of l’Eroica, south of Siena between the Val D’Arbia, the Crete Senesi and the Vl D’Orcia, passing through Montalcino
https://eroica.cc/it/montalcino
JULY
JAZZ & WINE
Kermesse of the best Italian and international jazz in the evocative setting of the Montalcino Fortress
https://jazzandwinemontalcino.it/
AUGUST
APERTURA DELLE CACCE
Archery competition among the districts of Montalcino that re-enacts medieval tournaments
SEPTEMBER
SETTIMANA DEL MIELE
Montalcino, city of honey, organizes conferences and tasting of beehive products
https://www.cittadelmiele.it/la-settimana-del-miele/
OCTOBER
GRANFONDO DEL BRUNELLO
Mountain bike classic
SAGRA DEL TORDO
Montalcino’s main festival, in which neighborhoods compete in medieval archery tournaments
NOVEMBER
TRUFFLE SHOW
https://www.tartufodisangiovannidasso.it/
San Quirico D’Orcia, Pienza and surrounding areas on foot and on a bicycle
San Quirico D’Orcia, Pienza and its surrounding area needs to be visited without a rush. It is important for visitors to drink in the extraordinary beauty and to follow the rhythms of the countryside with its wheat fields, vineyards, olive groves and colors which chenge with the seasons. The impressive system of trails gives guests the chance to enjoy the area to its fullest and to discover the landscapes and emotions that only a visit in contact with nature can offer. Utilizing APP Valdorcia, which wascreated directly by the town of San Quirico D’Orcia, it is possible to enjoy hikes, excursions with E-Bikes, mountain bikes and even racing bike easily and safely. The application provides useful information about all activities connectedto tourism and is available for download from PlayStore (android devices) and iTunes (apple devices).
A website is dedicated to the Val D’Orcia trails, accessible from the link on the home page of the town of San Quirico D’Orcia and Pienza.
La Via Francigena
Is part of a bundle of routes, also called the Roman roads, that led from Western Europe, particularly France, into Southern Europe to Rome, continuing on to Apulia, where there were ports of embarkation for the Holy Land, a destination for pilgrims and crusaders.
In 1994 it was declared a “European Cultural Route,” assuming, on a par with the Way of St. James of Compostela, a supranational dignity.
