The Val d’Orcia is one of the most recognisable wine-growing landscapes in southern Tuscany, a landscape of hills and valleys traversed by the River Orcia and situated between the Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano regions. In this setting, viticulture thrives on well-exposed slopes, where the temperate climate, daily temperature variations and breezes promote the gradual ripening of the grapes and well-defined aromas.
The area’s geology is complex and contributes to the variety of local expressions: clays, sands, marine sediments, marl and alberese alternate across the various hilly terrains, offering differing conditions for drainage, water availability and root development. It is a mosaic of soils capable of producing wines with a balanced structure, characterised by freshness, intensity and a distinct territorial identity.
The main grape variety of the Orcia DOC appellation is Sangiovese, used both as a single variety and in blends with other non-aromatic red grape varieties authorised in Tuscany. This produces red wines characterised by a tannic structure, acidity and aromas reminiscent of red fruits, flowers and delicate spicy notes. The Orcia Sangiovese variant further enhances the grape variety’s identity, whilst the Riserva wines undergo a longer ageing process, including time in oak, to foster complexity and harmony.
The appellation also includes rosé and white wines made predominantly from Tuscan Trebbiano, as well as Vin Santo, produced mainly from Tuscan Trebbiano and Malvasia Bianca Lunga. For the latter, tradition dictates the selection of the grapes, natural drying and ageing in the characteristic wooden ‘caratelli’. Established in 2000, the Orcia DOC embodies a approach to viticulture that prioritises the landscape, the promotion of local grape varieties and production techniques aimed at preserving balance, identity and longevity.