History

Since 1620 the name
La Montina has been used
to describe the country estate
of Benedetto Montini
descendent of Pope Paul VI

Monticelli Brusati is a village which lies on a beautiful stretch of land to the north- eastern side of Franciacorta. Here the little urban streets recede and make way for the woodlands of the Mugnina Valley.

To the north, the region is crowned by Lago d'Iseo, creating a special micro-climate from which the whole area benefits, including the vines.

The first mention of the estate in the archives dates back to 1620 when the owners of the main house were a noble family from Brescia headed by 'Benedetto Montini' - descendant of Pope Paul VI - the namesake of the estate. Since then this small area which includes the adjacent hillside as well as the vineyards has been called "La Montina".

The grounds of the winery are dominated by the 17th century Villa Baiana which is home to the "Remo Bianco Museum of Contemporary Art", and boasts hundreds of pieces that are exhibited throughout the Villa. The estate has another Gallery in the old wine cellar used for contemporary exhibitions of art and sculpture. There is also a lovely boutique Wine Shop.

In the past the Villa was also a convent, home to the "Sisters of the order of Dorothy". Today the interior of this space is used for other interests of the Montina estate.

I remember the three brothers strolling around the courtyard of this stately mansion house, touching the thick stone walls and colonnades and from to time indicating points in the empty space where the new project would take shape. The work started in 1985. The hillside which leads down from the old Villa was completely removed by diggers which ate up the land and made way for the reconstruction of the new building.