Argiano is thought to be an ancient place, full of history, where wise men searched for Ara Jani, the legendary altar of the roman god Janus.

At the summit of a wonderful hill, south-west of Montalcino, the magnificent Villa of Argiano was built in the Renaissance by the Peccis, a noble family from Siena.

Remaining for some decades under the Pecci family, it then passed to the counts of Pieri, who bequeath it to the marquis of Ballanti Merli and to the duchess of Caetani from the counts Lovatelli. In 1992, it was acquired by the countess Noemi Marone Cinzano.

The estate of Argiano expands over 100 hectares in a fantastic rural environment, where rows of vines alternate with olive grooves and meadows, surrounded by luxuriant Mediterranean maquis.

The mount Amiata, in the South-east, acts as a natural protection against climatic inclemencies of unusual intensity, like cloudbursts and hailstorms.

The reasonable altitude and the consequent ventilation allow to take advantage of the presence of the warm winds from the Maremma, thus creating a mild microclimate, with many clear days during the entire phase of vegetation, essential for the healthy and complete maturation of the grapes.

Since 1500, the noble families produced wines from these vineyards, that were aimed only to their own consumption. Many international awards - some dating back to the far 1934 - proof the superb virtues of the agricultural production of Argiano. The excellent quality has further been consolidated in the last decades thanks to the production of prestigious wines of international fame.

The vineyards extend over 48 hectares (120 acres) with perfect year-round south exposure during midday. The soil is of eocenic origin and is formed by marly limestone with some clayey areas.

In ancient times, the sea covered the whole area, and thus the soil contains large quantities of minerals available to the vines and crucial for their optimal development. With this climatic and geological prerogatives, the vines can reach quality peaks.

The grape production, deriving only from the own vineyards, is much reduced, thus favoring a high concentration of the skins, which result rich in antocyan and noble tannins. The grapes are picked by hand with great care and collected into small baskets.

The cellars underneath the Villa remain the most precious jewel of Argiano. It's here, that since the sixteenth century, the wines can fine at constant temperature and humidity, and in absence of light and noise.

The ageing takes place in small and medium size oak casks, but also French oak barrels have been introduced to allow a more subtle and balanced tannins extraction.

The choice of woods for the ageing of the wine is of fundamental importance and is in constant evolution.