In the land of Sangiovese, Tuscany, you can find the Avignonesi winery. Situated in the beautiful Montepulciano region, with its typical hills and cypresses, Avignonesi is a leading company in organic and biodynamic viticulture with lots of respect for the environment and the people.

History & Philosophy

Avignonesi is named after the founders of the estate. Since 2009, the Belgian power woman Virginie Saverys took over and started a beautiful journey. The estate has grown to 170 hectares of vineyards including the purchase of a state-of-the-art winemaking facility in the Montepulciano appellation. Since the acquisition and thanks to Virginie’s respect for the ecosystem, her staff and the final consumer, the winery has started producing and crafting organic wines that are truly authentic, but also unique. Sustainability plays a big part in the everyday life at Avignonesi. They keep bees at the estate, from which a beautiful honey is made, sheep running around and a vegetable garden (the vegetables are used in the Capezzine Restaurant).

The Wines

The Avignonesi wines show the richness and elegance of Montepulciano. Sangiovese wines have been produced here for centuries (60-70 types of Sangiovese are used at Avignonesi). Avignonesi creates wines that are a reflection of its terroir, clean wines with no un-natural intervention thanks to the biodynamic approach.  This combined with the passion and shared values of the staff allows Avignonesi to respect the character of each wine by following its natural journey from the soil to the cellar and to your glass.

Next to Sangiovese wines, they also have a rosato, white wine and Vin Santo. The grapes used are Merlot, Cabarnet Sauvignon, Malvasia, Trebbiano, Grechetto and Chardonnay.

At Avignonesi they are also trying new techniques, for example their wine Da-Di, this wine is vinified in ‘terracotta’ (Tuscan Clay). This gives a really nice result, a fruity and fresh Sangiovese wine, which shows the beauty of this grape.

We definitely have to speak about Vin Santo, or ‘holy wine’, a typical Tuscan tradition. A sweet wine that is the result of dried grapes (hand-picked and laid out on straw mats for a few months, this method is called appassimento) and long ageing, over half of the liquid evaporates. To produce one small bottle of 375ml you need the same number of grapes as for 24 normal 750ml bottles. The result is a dense sweet wine, beautiful and complex with lots of aromas. You just have to try it.

Experiences

Avignonesi offers a wide range of experiences:

• Tour and tasting: Get a tour at the fantastic winery and learn about Avignonesi, to conclude the tour you get to taste 4 of the wines.
• Cooking class: Together with the chef you go to the garden to pick your own ingredients. After this you learn how to make handmade pici (typical Tuscan pasta) and other typical dishes. All of this with a glass of wine in your hand.
• The cellar door experience: at Avignonesi’s winebar you can enjoy all of the wines by glass, paired with a lovely plate of cold cuts. No reservation is needed.
• The Grand Experience: get treated like a royal and enjoy this magnificent gastronomic experience. A lunch prepared with passion and the best ingredients, paired with the Avignonesi wines. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the beautiful views from the panoramic terrace.
• Private dinner: something to celebrate? Go for a private dinner at the Capezzine Farm.

A special thanks to Licata Vini who organized our visit and to Alessio, Ilaria and Yelena from the Avignonesi staff.

Licata Vini (Duifhuisweg 12, 3590 Diepenbeek, België) – (t) +32 (0)11 / 22 20 37 – [email protected]