Inside the sun-bleached stone and ancient brick façade is a working winery dating back to 1865, where its award-winning grapes produce your very own wine.

In conjuring an image of what it would be like to live in this idyllic countryside, you can easily picture a rustic farmhouse off the beaten path, nestled among olive and cypress trees. Inside the sun-bleached stone and ancient brick façade is a working winery dating back to 1865, where its award-winning grapes produce your very own wine. Beyond that is a classic Tuscan villa reimagined for the 21st century, complete with five-star rooms, a full-service spa, cooking classes in a warm, welcoming kitchen, and alfresco dinners with local friends at sunset.

While this may seem like a dream life, at Fattoria Svetoni this is our way of life and one we long to share. We’re delighted to invite you — for the first time ever in our storied history — to join us and become a true part of our family not only as a guest, but as a co-owner.

“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life …”

—Anna Akhmatova

Tuscany, where culture flourishes, is as renowned for its history, art, architecture and cuisine as its lush vegetation and spectacular vistas. Tuscany has always been one of the world's leaders in international tourism. Today, there is a growing number of visitors looking for immersive, authentic countryside experiences — like at Fattoria Svetoni. Reachable by plane from all major U.S. cities, this “nation within a nation” is also the epicenter for Italian winemaking, notably the area surrounding the medieval town of Montepulciano.

Located two hours north of Rome, Montepulciano is accessible by car or commuter rail. It’s approximately 75 miles (120 km) — or an hour-and-a-half drive — from Florence’s Peretola Airport and only 40 miles (65 km) away from the town of Siena.

Montepulciano itself is a compelling site to behold. Founded in the 6th century B.C., this hilltop town boasts medieval houses, travertine palazzos and Baroque churches in its beautifully jumbled skyline. It’s a quintessentially enchanting Italian village that overlooks the most scenic wine terroir in all of Italy, as further evidenced by the number of Hollywood films that have been shot within and around the city’s walls. Montepulciano hosts more than 200 events a year including spectacular food and wine festivals as well as concerts, agricultural festivals, and musical and theatrical performances that take place in the city’s Piazza Grande. While the warmth of its people and walkability of its cobblestone streets make it a constant draw, its reputation as Italy’s leader in food and wine production continues to be a major attraction to all tourists alike.

As a Lifestyle Owner of Fattoria Svetoni, you’re connecting yourself not only to the storied history of this breathtaking town and all that the surrounding land has to offer, but to the heritage of one of its most revered wines.

Italy is the world’s leading wine producer (Source: Mintel Report, Wine Tourism — March 2017), encompassing 20 wine-growing regions and a hold on 19% of all wine in the world. When combined with the agriturismo trade, the tourism in this region is debt-crisis-proof. Wine tourism itself contributes 50 million annual visitors and revenues of 20 billion euros. Montepulciano, specifically, is its own remarkable story.

What makes this particular Tuscan town a consistent must-stop destination for any wine is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano — namely one of the best and highest-rated red wines in the country. One sip and you’re drinking in the soul of the culture.

As a Lifestyle Owner of Fattoria Svetoni, you’re connecting yourself not only to the storied history of this breathtaking town and all that the surrounding land has to offer, but to the heritage of one of its most revered wines. This is immersion travel, where with each visit and each sip, you’re connected more deeply to the Tuscan way of life. You begin to see the world through an Italian lens, where our culture becomes your culture and our story becomes your own.

“Hear, all ye drinkers! Give ear, and give faith, to our edict divine — Montepulciano’s the King of all Wine!”

—Francesco Redi

Italian wine continues to be the cornerstone of every wine buyer’s list. The literal translation of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is “noble wine.” Beyond upholding a DOCG status — the highest classification for Italian wines and the first variety to achieve this status — its earliest references date back to the 14th century, with its name being given by 17th-century nobility who favored it above all others. Italian poet Francesco Redi’s famous 1685 poem Bacchus in Tuscany decreed it as the “King of all Wine!” Even Thomas Jefferson was a fan, stating, “For the present I confine myself to the physical want of some good Montepulciano … this being a very favorite wine, and habit having rendered the light and high-flavored wines a necessary of life with me.”

At Fattoria Svetoni, our superior Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is made from sangiovese grapes, or “blood of Jupiter,” which are grown to their fullest potential due to the vineyard’s excellent exposure to the Mediterranean climate. Our vineyard retains deep ties to the history of the land and has been producing bountiful harvests for well over a century. The wine is aged for a minimum of two years, and the result is a dry yet vibrant red with a velvety finish that compliments any type of meal.

Along with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, all three wines were given excellent scores by world-famous wine critic James Suckling who rated them each in the 90s.

The winery adheres to ancient winemaking traditions such as employing glass airlocks on top of the barrels — a device said to be invented by Leonardo da Vinci — and utilizing oak barrel aging. Our vision for the future, however, marries these Tuscan winemaking traditions with modern technology and “new world” techniques that are currently being implemented, such as using stainless steel vats for a cleaner, more-sanitized process that yields more consistent wines year after year. The results are exemplary wines that appeal to buyers at every price point.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano stands out as the crown jewel for Fattoria Svetoni, but our winery also boasts a triumvirate of award-winning wines. The Chianti Colli Senesi is our second most-produced wine and is recognized as one of the finest Chiantis available in the world. Our Rosso di Montepulciano is often referred to as the “little brother” to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The rules for producing it are less stringent than for Vino Nobile, allowing for higher yields per hectare and requiring less barrel aging.

Acquiring a James Suckling ranking in the 90s is a feat in and of itself in such a wide market as is receiving a ranking from one of Italy’s most renowned wine critics, Luca Maroni, who rated the Vino Nobile a 98 and the Rosso a 96. Most recently, the Vino Nobile was given a rating of 90 by Decanter World Wine Awards. These high rankings alone set Fattoria Svetoni apart as a true contender in the competitive market of the finest Tuscan wines. We have recently purchased additional acreage that produces white wine and rosé to further round out our diverse product offering.  

With ownership, not only will you be invited to share in our harvest — literally standing right next to us throughout the process — but our wines will be your wines.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

The noble wine of Montepulciano is so called because it was considered fit for nobleman — and it indeed became quite popular among the clientele.
It was one of King Edward VIII’s and Thomas Jefferson’s favorite wines. One of the most renowned reds in Italy, it’s an all-occasion wine.

Grapes: Sangiovese 60–80%; Canaiolo Nero 10–20%.

Color: Garnet.

Aroma: Delicate notes of violet.

Flavor: Dry, lightly tannic.

Alcohol: Typically 12–13%.

Aging: A legal requirement of two years in wooden casks.

Bianco di Toscana

A tasty but very expressive food wine, redolent of wild herbs and almonds with a scent of hay. A pungent, flavorful accompaniment to lighter fare and fish.

Grape: 100% Vermentino.

Color: Light straw yellow.

Aroma: Peach with hints of jasmine. Beautifully balanced.

Flavor: Off sweet. Fresh and lightly acidic.

Alcohol: Typically 13%.

Aging: Stainless steel tank fermentation and aging.

Rosato di Toscana

Serious rosé exists, and this is one! While rosé can be made from a number of grapes, this one is 100% Tuscan sangiovese. Made in the saignée method, this rosé is a great year-round apéritif, simultaneously juicy and tart, yet delicate on the palate. This wine exudes a Tuscan countryside picnic.

Grape: 100% sangiovese.

Color: Deep pink with brilliant reflections.

Aroma: Hints of rose, white violet and green apple.

Flavor: Verdant mineral flavors, yet soft and dry.

Alcohol: Typically 13%.

Aging: Stainless steel tank fermentation and aging.

At the heart of Fattoria Svetoni is “The Farmhouse.” Not only is it the most well-known farmhouse in Montepulciano, it’s the oldest. Commissioned by Pietro Leopoldo, The Grand Duke of Tuscany and Holy Roman Emperor, who was also the first head of a European state to ban the death penalty in Europe — which is interesting to note given that he was the first cousin of Marie Antoinette — the farmhouse, which will be your home in Tuscany, stands as a historic remnant from one of Italy’s most well-known “enlightened monarchs.”

For years, the Ruffino family — one of Italy’s most prominent and iconic wine families — owned Fattoria Svetoni. The vineyard was used solely for grape production to service their bulk-wine needs of which it has consistently produced a high-quality grape crop. The farmhouse itself was never renovated or open to the public, and the family decided to sell because it no longer suited their bulk-market needs. Fattoria Svetoni has always been and will remain a producer of specialty wine, but our vision for the future expands upon this concept.

With new ownership secured, what was once a working winery with an underutilized, pedigreed farmhouse will now reach its full potential as a grand estate. Backed by our ownership group of well-established entrepreneurs and civic leaders connected to the local economy in the fields of food, wine and travel, we also boast the former mayor of Montepulciano himself as one of our co-owners who was also recently elected to lead the prestigious Vino Nobile Wine Consortium, an organization comprised of more than 250 Vino Nobile producers.

“Life offers you a thousand chances … all you have to do is take one.”

—Frances Mayes, author of Under the Tuscan Sun

All Fattoria Svetoni Lifestyle Owners will actually own a portion of the estate that will include the following:

• Lifestyle Owners will have no liability on the original purchase money obligations.

• Lifestyle Owners will receive the benefit of the appreciation on their equity share.

• Lifestyle Owners will not be subject to any operation capital calls, additional capital investments or dues.

• Lifestyle Owners will have no management or operational obligations.

• Lifestyle Owners will get an agreed-to wine allocation each year delivered to them in the U.S. or location of their choice for private label or retail sale, anticipated to be 10.

• Lifestyle Owners will receive their share of ownership via a Delaware corporation Fattoria Svetoni, LLC that owns and holds the winery stock to minimize taxation and ease U.S. reporting requirements.

• Lifestyle Owners will have, as a group, a board of directors appointment to the advisory board.

• Lifestyle Owners will receive financial reports.

• Winery Owners will solicit Lifestyle Owners’ input on all future growth and related projects, and Lifestyle Owners will have a right of participation in related investment opportunities with the original owners.

• Lifestyle Owners will have priority access to suite reservations.

• Lifestyle Owners will have a 50% discount on winery suite reservations based on seasonal rates from November 1 to March 31 and a 20% discount on winery suite reservations based on seasonal rate from April 1 to October 30.

• Lifestyle Owners get priority access to winery suites for harvest and will be invited to all owner events including concerts at winery and tasting events.

• Lifestyle Owners will receive complimentary assistance on Tuscany and Europe travel planning and guided events in the area, as well as assistance on “Italy immersion” tours, events and owner gatherings.

• Lifestyle Owners get additional wine purchases, merchandise or activity rights at a 30% discount off retail.

• Lifestyle Owners will receive priority access and a 20% discount on use of the spa, any cooking classes or other events at the winery.

• Lifestyle Owners will get other items of nominal value to be determined by the board of directors.

• A driver will be available to Lifestyle Owners while in Italy for a nominal charge.

Andrea Rossi

Andrea Rossi, a resident and the former Mayor of Montepulciano, Italy, graduated in economics and banking from the University of Siena. Andrea served as Montepulciano City Commissioner of Recreation, Sports and City Participation from 1991 to 2001. He subsequently served as Commissioner of Planning, Building, Housing, and Community/Mobility Development for Montepulciano from 2002 to 2009. He was elected Mayor of Montepulciano in 2009 and served a full two terms as allowed by law. In 2013, Andrea was elected President of the Valdichiana Municipalities Union and subsequently reelected in 2017 to the same role.

Andrea is a well-known successful entrepreneur, wine and olive producer, and co-owner of Birrificio di Montepulciano. In 1996, he founded and has been co-owner of the iconic “Sanguineto”, one of the most iconic agriturismos in Tuscany.

Antonio Gaudioso

Antonio, a resident of Rome, Italy, graduated with a degree in political science from the University of Macerata. For the last 20 years he has participated in and became the Executive Director/Secretary General of Italy’s largest citizen advocacy group, Cittadinanzattiva, which is widely regarded by the traditional Italian political parties as the largest and most influential citizen group in the country with more than 400 local offices and 100,000 active members (www.cittadinanzattiva.it). In 2012, Antonio was named a Citizen Advisor to the World Bank, where he served until 2016.

Since 2008, he has been the CEO of AGC, srl, a leading Italian wine exporting company with worldwide sales. Antonio is also a partner in the Tuscan brewery Birrificio di Montepulciano. Antonio is a founding winery partner.

Omar Pelligrini

Since 1997, Omar has led a family recycling business named Microgomma Energia (www.micorogomma.it), a highly successful rubber recycling company. Since then, Omar, a Tuscany native, has been an investor and Italy’s leading force in technology and innovation in recycling. In 2005, Omar expanded the business into Eastern Europe with offices in Poland. In 2010, he built a biogas energy plant in Montepulciano utilizing farm and winery byproducts to produce green energy. Omar, recognized as one of Italy’s finest innovative entrepreneurs, is an expert on Italian wines and serves as a local winery restaurant ambassador.

Victor Poulos

Victor “Vic” Poulos moved to El Paso, Texas in 1980 after attending college at the University of Kansas and Washburn University Law School. He led the litigation department of an El Paso area firm before forming his own firm in 1997, where he practices civil and business litigation. He was voted a “Super Lawyer” for Texas in 2010 and received the same designation for the entire U.S. Southwest in 2016.

Vic believes that to be a part of a community, one must give back to it. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the founding of a successful local Italian restaurant with former El Paso Mayor Suzi Azar, as well as owning and operating Signature Source, a wine-import business focusing on Italian wines. In 2000, Vic planted grapes on 10 acres in West Texas, thereby founding Zin Valle Vineyards, an award-winning winery that has produced gold, silver and bronze medal-winning wines.

Vic’s love of wine runs deep. He writes about wine for local and national publications, teaches wine and food pairing classes at both the University of Texas at El Paso and at Western New Mexico University, and has served as a Wine Host on AMA Waterways River Cruises throughout Europe, most recently as a Tour Host for Oceania Ocean Cruises. He is a partner in the Miglio Verde Brewpub in Tuscany and is an active founding partner and board member in the Fattoria Svetoni winery.

Alessandro Maiocchi

An experienced marketing professional with first-hand knowledge of industrial and business markets, Alessandro’s career has included a range of key management roles. He was challenged to manage, as resident manager, the development of a multinational corporation in South America and worked as a business analyst in a major multinational company involved in both high and medium technology sectors and strategic consultancy. After this experience, Alessandro was involved in a different EU program to promote the upgrade and qualification of knowledge and competencies in R&D technology transfer and innovation.

He worked as the Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs and as the Business Development Director of the International Division for 10 years in a leading company of recycling machines and plants. At present, he has the role of EVP-COO in an Italian worldwide boutique company that deals in wine, beer and the spirits-exporting business.

Alessandro has been teaching marketing in academies and universities since 2003, and since 2014 has taught a postgraduate degree course at the University of Catania.

Giuseppe Prencipe

Leading one of Italy’s finest grocery distribution businesses for the last 50 years, Giuseppe diversified his business in 1996 opening numerous retail outlets in Italy. Since 1996, he has been an owner of “Sanguineto,” an iconic Tuscan agriturismo in Montepulciano. Gisuseppe is a pioneer in the Tuscan bed-and-breakfast tourist industry and joined the Fattoria Svetoni winery with the same pioneering spirit and vision. Giuseppe served as Italy’s youngest Mayor of Montefalco, Umbria, and is well connected to the Tuscan travel and tourist industry.