Poggio La Croce

Poggio la Croce Estate was founded in 1955, when Paola Benocci, from one of Montalcino’s historic families, inherited 35 hectares of land including fields, woods and olive groves in a prime area of the appellation. The estate lies on the eastern border of the historic Greppo vineyards of Biondi-Santi, a place closely connected with the origins of Brunello di Montalcino.

Through years of dedication and hard work, Paola and her husband gradually developed the estate, planting two hectares of vineyards and beginning their journey in wine production. Alongside farming they opened a small agriturismo and started welcoming visitors, becoming part of the early tradition of hospitality in Montalcino.

Their first Brunello di Montalcino, “Fattoria La Croce”, was bottled in 1997, carrying the family’s heraldic coat of arms, recognizable by its light blue and gold colors, which remain a distinctive symbol of the estate.

In 2017 the estate was entrusted to Edward, who had already been working alongside the owners in the vineyards. Edward’s connection with the Benocci family goes back to his youth, when he met Paola and her husband at the home of his grandmother Idolina in Montalcino. Idolina was a pioneer of hospitality in the area:

“Shortly after the end of World War II she opened one of the first restaurants and guesthouses in town, both of which are still operating today and welcoming visitors from around the world thanks to Edward, the wife Alessandra and Alessandra’s mother, Roberta.”

With great respect for its history, he preserved the name and identity of Poggio la Croce while integrating the vineyards into his family winery, Poggio Rubino.

Today Poggio la Croce wines are produced from selected Sangiovese Grosso vineyards and crafted at Poggio Rubino winery under Edward’s supervision. Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino La Croce continue to express the heritage of the estate, maintaining the historic label that has represented the winery for decades.