"One of the first wine shop/wine bars in Montalcino, the only one inside the Fortress"
Wine Shop / Wine Bar
La Fortezza Wine Shop and Wine Bar: one of the first wine shop/wine bars in Montalcino. Founded in 1980 by Mario Pianigiani and Marzio Giannelli, the only one inside the main tower of the medieval fortress of Montalcino.
At the time, Mario and Marzio had already understood the future economic development of Montalcino, in a time when the producers of Brunello were no more than 30. Over the years, the wine shop has grown and has become a landmark, a showroom for this famous wine. In 2002, the La Fortezza Wine Shop/Wine Bar passed to another DOC Montalcino resident: Fabio Tassi.
Since then Fabio Tassi managed the wine shop/wine bar with great enthusiasm by continuing to offer a wide selection and quality of Brunello di Montalcino and other Tuscan wines.
Fortress
The place that houses the wine shop/wine bar is the fortress of Montalcino, a monument rich in history and a symbol of the last glorious defence of the Sienese Republic in 1555 against Spanish-Florentine troops.
Begun in 1361 to improve the fortifications of the city, the fortress became a symbol of the then dominant Sienese power, however, counterbalanced by the opportunity that was offered to the residents of Montalcino to have Sienese citizenship while delocalised.
It was precisely this fact that led to important political, economic and administrative relations between the inhabitants of the two cities.
Over the years and centuries, the fortress and its defence systems have undergone multiple operations including expansion and repair, until about 1600, year in which it definitely lost its military function.
It has since been re-assigned to meet the needs of the city over time, even hosting a religious community of Benedictines.
Today, after major restoration, desired by Giovanni Colombini in the 1940s, it plays a tourist and cultural function hosting shows and events and offers visitors a dizzying view over the Val d'Orcia.
