The Bellaria Estate as we now know it first came into being in September 1963, when Assunto Pieri and Bruna Tempori purchased a farmhouse and land in one of the finest and most characteristic Montalcino winegrowing areas.
Over the years, Bruna and “Sunto”, as everyone in Montalcino calls him, increased and improved their property, opting to produce wines there that would speak for the fine balance of grape variety, soil and microclimate.
In 2000, their nephew Gianni Bernazzi took over the direction of the estate, bringing with him a degree of modernization that he managed to reconcile with respect for tradition.
Since the production of quality wines was the goal shared by both generations, this transition was seamless. Annual output is currently around 6000 bottles.
The estate comprises around 40 hectares, which include vineyards planted with Sangiovese for the production of Montalcino D.O.C.G , a RISERVA in 5-star harvests, and the Rosso di Montalcino D.O.C. In the near future there will also be an I.G.T. red wine as well as the Vin Santo D.O.C. and the blended Sant’Antimo Rosso. The grape skins are used to produce an excellent Grappa di Brunello.
The rest of the estate is largely devoted to olive cultivation. The Bellaria olive groves comprise the Olivaastra, Correggiolo, Frantoio and Leccino varieties which create a balanced, tasty green oil with peppery overtones.
The family still lives in the original farmhouse. Meanwhile the winery itself has been extended and improved, with the addition of new ageing cellars.
Our Wines
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO “Assunto” – 2012 – JS 95 pts
Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
Altitude of Vineyard: 500m above sea level
Yield per Hectare: 30 – 35 per Ha
Alcohol Content: 14.00% Vol.
Vinification: After the harvest the grapes go through fermentation in temperature-controlled steel vats for 20-25 days and undergo pumping over and délestage to maximize the extraction of all the structural components of the wine from the skins giving it longevity and structure.
Aging: The Assunto Brunello di Montalcino is aged for about 30 months in small 7.50 hl French and Slavonian oak barrels from which the wine acquires its fragrances and that elegance which is expressed in the glass.
Bottle Aging: After ageing in wood, the wine is bottled and refined for six months then released on the market not earlier than five years after the harvest.
Tasting and Pairing: Intense ruby red in colour tending to garnet. Elegant and intense bouquet. On the palate, dry, warm, robust and persistent. Excellent with game, roasted red meat, and aged cheese. Wine to lay down.
James Suckling: Complex aromas of berries, cherries, leaves and wet earth. Full-bodied, layered and rich with fantastic tannin structure and intensity. Better in 2019 but already delicious to taste.
Suggested serving temperature: 18°C (64-65°)
Our aim is to produce wines that truly speak for where they are grown; wines that are both genuine and eloquent. We believe that wine lovers looking for something different will recognize the individuality of our products, while appreciating how they relate to the overall profile of Montalcino wine.
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO “Assunto” – 2011 – JS 92
Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
Altitude of Vineyard: 500m above sea level
Yield per Hectare: 30-35 ql. per Ha
Alcohol Content: 14,00% Vol.
Vinification: This wine originates from the best Sangiovese grapes produced in a 30 year-old vineyard which the grandfather Assunto, whom the wine is named after, planted. The yield per hectare is around 30-35 ql. After the harvest the grapes go through fermentation in temperature-controlled steel vats for 20-25 days and undergo pumping over and délestage to maximize the extraction of all the structural components of the wine from the skins giving it longevity and structure.
Aging: The Assunto Brunello di Montalcino is aged for about 30 months in small 7.50 hl French and Slavonian oak barrels from which the wine acquires its fragrances and that elegance which is expressed in the glass.
Bottle Aging: After aging in wood, the wine is bottled and refined for six months 
then released on the market not earlier than five years after the harvest.
Tasting and Pairing: Intense ruby red in color tending to garnet. Elegant and intense bouquet. On the palate, dry, warm, robust and persistent. Excellent with game, roasted red meat, and aged cheese. Wine to lay down.
James Suckling: A wine with lots of dried-fruit, spice, berry and chocolate aromas and flavors. Full body with round, velvety tannins. Rich finish. Lots of new-wood character but will come together nicely. A small producer to follow. Drink now or hold.
Suggested serving temperature: 18°C (64-65°)
Download Assunto Brunello 2011 Specification PDF
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO “Assunto” – 2015
Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
Altitude of Vineyard: 500m above sea level
Yield per Hectare: 70 – 80 ql.
Alcohol Content: 13.50% Vol.
Vinification: This wine originates from a careful selection of grapes harvested by hand in our vineyards where the yield per hectare is around 70-80ql. The grapes ferment in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for about 15-20 days and undergo pumping over and délestage to achieve the best extraction of all the components from the skins, which will give the future wine its colour, structure, freshness and overtones of ripe fruit.
Aging: The Assunto Rosso di Montalcino is aged for about 10-12 months in small French and Slavonian oak barrels. During the ageing phase, the wine softens the tannins and slowly absorbs further aromas and fragrances, later found in the glass, as it ages in the various barrels in our cellar.
Bottle Aging: After aging in wood, the wine is bottled and spends a short period of time refining for 2-3 months. It is then released on the market the year after the harvest.
Tasting and Pairing: Intense ruby red in colour. To taste it has good structure and richness. In the mouth it is clean and elegant with a finish of fruits of the forest like blueberry, currant, raspberry and strawberry. Bouquet is fresh, elegant and intense. Its notable structure also permits for ageing another few years. Excellent with first dishes with a meat sauce, roasted white meat, fresh and medium-aged cheeses.
Suggested serving temperature: 18°C (64-65°)
ROSSO DI MONTALCINO “Assunto” – 2014
Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
Altitude of Vineyard: 500m above sea level
Yield per Hectare: 70 – 80 ql.
Alcohol Content: 13.50% Vol.
Vinification: This wine originates from a careful selection of grapes harvested by hand in our vineyards where the yield per hectare is around 70-80ql. The grapes ferment in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats for about 15-20 days and undergo pumping over and délestage to achieve the best extraction of all the components from the skins, which will give the future wine its colour, structure, freshness and overtones of ripe fruit.
Aging: The Assunto Rosso di Montalcino is aged for about 10-12 months in small French and Slavonian oak barrels. During the ageing phase, the wine softens the tannins and slowly absorbs further aromas and fragrances, later found in the glass, as it ages in the various barrels in our cellar.
Bottle Aging: After aging in wood, the wine is bottled and spends a short period of time refining for 2-3 months. It is then released on the market the year after the harvest.
Tasting and Pairing: Intense ruby red in color. To taste it has good structure and richness. In the mouth it is clean and elegant with a finish of fruits of the forest like blueberry, currant, raspberry and strawberry. Bouquet is fresh, elegant and intense. Its notable structure also permits for ageing another few years. Excellent with first dishes with a meat sauce, roasted white meat, fresh and medium-aged cheeses.
Suggested serving temperature: 18°C (64-65°)
Download Assunto Rosso 2014 Specification PDF
