Cantine Dei

Cantine Dei is currently owned and managed by Caterina Dei, who took over the estate from her father, Glauco Dei, around 25 years ago. Glauco, a successful engineer and travertine marble entrepreneur, played a key role in shaping the estate’s modern identity, particularly in the design and construction of its striking travertine winery. Caterina brings a creative sensibility—rooted in her background as a musician, singer, and actor—to her meticulous stewardship of the estate, combining innovation with tradition.

The winery’s story began in 1964 when Alibrando Dei purchased the Bossona vineyard, later revealed to be an exceptional site for producing Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva. In the 1970s, the family acquired the Villa Martiena estate, where they initially sold grapes before bottling their own wines in 1985. The first winery on the property was completed in 1989. In the early 2000s, a new state-of-the-art, gravity-flow winery—designed by Glauco and Caterina with architect Alessandro Bagnoli—was constructed using locally sourced travertine, reflecting the family's passion for architecture and material integrity.

Cantine Dei is located just outside the town of Montepulciano in southern Tuscany, within the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG. The estate's vineyards are concentrated around Villa Martiena, on the gentle slopes surrounding the village, providing prime exposure and elevation for cultivating Sangiovese (locally known as Prugnolo Gentile). This area benefits from a temperate climate and diverse soils that contribute significantly to the structure and elegance of the wines.

The estate farms 50 hectares across five main vineyard parcels: Martiena and Piaggia (both at 400m with bright, sandstone-based soils), Bossona (400m, with tufa and fossil-rich calcareous subsoil), Ciarlina (300m, a mix of clay and limestone), and Cervognano (250m, with tufa and clay). Bossona remains the standout site, providing fruit for the estate’s Riserva wine. Viticulture is based on sustainable principles: no herbicides, minimal ploughing, and the use of organic fertilisers and cover crops like barley, mustard, and clover. Caterina has refined these practices to ensure balanced vine growth and healthy soils.

The winemaking philosophy at Cantine Dei marries tradition with innovation. The winery is gravity-fed to preserve fruit integrity and avoid mechanical stress. Fermentations are closely monitored, and maturation typically takes place in large Slavonian oak casks and French barrels, depending on the cuvée. Caterina emphasizes a vineyard-driven approach, ensuring that each wine expresses the identity of its terroir, particularly the distinctive Bossona site. The modern winery allows for precise, quality-focused production without compromising the natural expression of the grapes.

Cantine Dei is best known for its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, particularly the Bossona Riserva, a benchmark wine from the estate’s finest vineyard. The classic Vino Nobile offers purity and elegance, while the Rosso di Montepulcianois a fresher, more accessible expression. The estate also produces small amounts of white and rosé wines. The style is polished but grounded in tradition—focused on structure, balance, and longevity. Caterina’s vision has helped raise the reputation of Montepulciano wines internationally.

Visitors to Cantine Dei can explore its architecturally impressive travertine winery at Villa Martiena, built into the hillside for natural gravity flow. The estate offers guided tours that include vineyard walks, cellar visits, and structured tastings of its wines. With a strong focus on art, culture, and hospitality, visits often blend wine with a broader Tuscan experience, echoing Caterina’s artistic sensibility. Advance booking is recommended, especially during the harvest or peak tourist seasons.