Casato Prime Donne

All the clichés of a bucolic paradise come to a head at Casato Prime Donne, a gem of a winery nestled in the hills of the idyllic Brunello di Montalcino region. The majestic views alone of the surrounding vineyards are to die for, while the splendid wines produced at this historic estate are magnificent – powerful, structured, complex, and very long-lived.

Casato Prime Donne is one of the oldest estates in Brunello di Montalcino, dating back to the 16th century. Indeed, records show that the property belonged to the current owner’s ancestors as far back as 1592, passing down from generation to generation over the centuries without outside interference.

Yet when Donatella Colombini’s grandmother inherited the Tuscan estate, things would change dramatically. Before that time, the Casato was used by Donatella’s maternal forefathers for hunting and family events like weddings, with the family patriarchs controlling most aspects of its day-to-day management. However, the transfer of power to Colobbini’s grandmother heralded a new matriarchal era for Casato Prime Donne, with control passing to the current owner, Donatella, in the late 1990s.

Since that day, Donatella has made significant and lasting changes to her family’s legacy, uniting two separate properties – the Casato in Montalcino and the Fattoria del Colle – under one proud banner in 1998. She then undertook a massive investment program, replanting all 33 hectares of vineyards and building two new wineries at Fattoria del Colle and Casato Prime Donne in 2001 and 2002, respectively. But this is nothing compared to her revolutionary approach to the firm’s management; Donatella Cinelli Colombini has founded the first Italian winery run solely by women, a decision that raised more than a few eyebrows in the late 1990s.

Of course, Donatella has since been vindicated, as Casato Prime Donne is today producing utterly stupendous Brunello di Montalcino, loved by critics and aficionados alike. Her most revolutionary brand is the Prime Donne selection, which is chosen each year by a tasting panel of four women. Elegant, refined, complex, and long-lived, it is more than a match for super-expensive labels such as Poggio di Sotto and Casanova di Neri.

It is a fitting testament to the energy, hard work, and brilliance of the team at Casato Prime Donne! Enjoy a tour and VIP tasting at this exquisite winery while on a Private Wine Tour of Montalcino, organized with Cellar Tours.