La Torre (Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy)

Located near Sant’Angelo in Colle, in the southern part of the Montalcino appellation, La Torre is a small, family-owned estate producing highly individual Brunello di Montalcino from just 5.6 hectares of vineyards. Surrounded by some of Montalcino's best-known names, including Banfi and Il Poggione, the estate occupies a relatively high, south- and west-facing site at around 430 metres above sea level. Its stony Eocene soils, rich in pietraserena, galestro and limestone, contribute to wines with structure, freshness and a particularly intense aromatic character. 

The estate was established in 1976 by Giuseppe Ananìa, who purchased the former sharecropping farm from the Ciacci family. At the time, Montalcino was still primarily an agricultural community and Brunello was known only to a relatively small circle of wine enthusiasts. Giuseppe planted the first 2.5 hectares of vines, while his son Luigi Ananìa later expanded the vineyard by a further three hectares in 1990 and 1999. Today, the vineyards surround the historic farmhouse, which still contains the original cellars where the grapes are processed and the wines aged. 

Luigi's philosophy is summed up perfectly by his description of La Torre as “traditional but not conservative.” Trained in agricultural science at the University of Florence, he combines traditional knowledge passed down by local farmers with modern viticultural understanding and careful experimentation. The emphasis remains firmly on the vineyard and on preserving the character of the land rather than following fashionable winemaking techniques. Since the 2016 vintage, the estate's wines have also been organically certified. 

The estate's principal wine is Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, complemented by Rosso di Montalcino and the distinctive Ampelio Toscana IGT, a blend of Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo and Alicante. In exceptional vintages, La Torre also produces a Brunello Riserva. The wines are traditionally structured, aromatic and savoury, combining ripe red and dark fruit with herbs, earth, tobacco and spice, supported by the firm acidity and tannins characteristic of great Sangiovese. 

For Wine Provision Shop, La Torre is also a particularly personal estate. Hannes Hentze has met Luigi Ananìa repeatedly over the years, both in Rome, where Luigi resides, and during his visits to Singapore. These encounters have created a lasting personal connection with the owner and winemaker and reflect exactly what Wine Provision Shop values in a small producer: direct relationships with passionate individuals whose wines remain closely connected to their land and traditions.

Today, La Torre remains deliberately small and independent, producing classic, terroir-driven Brunello with a strong sense of place. It is a wonderful example of the quieter side of Montalcino — a family estate where tradition, scientific curiosity and respect for the vineyard come together without sacrificing individuality.