The Pacenti Family: One Root, Three Wineries, Three Souls of Brunello
From Canalicchio to Pelagrilli, the story of a dynasty that gave rise to three distinct interpretations of Brunello di Montalcino.
The Pacenti family: one root, three wineries, three styles.
One family, three relatives, three different estates.
Brothers Primo and Rosildo Pacenti, together with their cousin Siró Pacenti, are united by the same land: the north-eastern area of Montalcino, in the locality of Canalicchio.
From a single family root, three historic wineries were born — all founding members of the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino:
- Canalicchio di Sopra
- Franco Pacenti (Podere Canalicchio)
- Siró Pacenti
Three different interpretations of Brunello, three production philosophies, three approaches to both vineyard management and winemaking.
One great shared family story.
Origins: from sharecropping to historic estates
In the beginning, the Pacenti family worked the land like many other farming families in Montalcino, under the sharecropping system.
In 1958, the original family nucleus — composed of Primo, Rosildo, and their brothers — purchased the estate and founded the collective winery “Fratelli Pacenti.”
From this foundation, the three wineries we know today would gradually emerge.
Siró Pacenti was the son of one of the brothers, Pietro Pacenti.
He was therefore:
- nephew of the original founders
- first cousin of Franco Pacenti (son of Rosildo)
In 1970, while Primo and Rosildo were consolidating what would become Canalicchio di Sopra and Franco Pacenti, Siró chose an independent path and founded his own winery, using land obtained through the family division.
This is how three independent estates were born — rooted in the same territory, yet each with its own identity.
1️⃣ Canalicchio di Sopra – elegance and site expression
Founded in 1962 by Primo Pacenti, Canalicchio di Sopra is now led by the third generation: Francesco, Marco, and Simonetta Ripaccioli.
The estate’s style balances tradition and modernity:
- use of large oak casks
- strong focus on vineyard zoning and individual parcels
The two main crus are:
- La Casaccia (clay soils)
- Montosoli (galestro soils)
Wines are vinified and aged separately by parcel before being blended into the Brunello Annata or bottled as single-vineyard crus.
The hallmark of Canalicchio di Sopra wines is their minerality and savory character, expressing with precision the terroir of north-eastern Montalcino.
2️⃣ Franco Pacenti – pure tradition
Located in Canalicchio, the Franco Pacenti estate was founded by Rosildo Pacenti, Franco’s father.
Today, it is run by Franco Pacenti together with his children Lorenzo, Lisa, and Serena.
The style is deeply rooted in tradition:
- aging exclusively in large Slavonian oak casks (30–50 hectoliters)
- no use of barriques
Here, Sangiovese is the absolute protagonist, expressed through clarity of fruit, balance, and classicism.
A Brunello that faithfully represents the most authentic soul of Montalcino.
3️⃣ Siró Pacenti – modernity and power
Founded in 1970 by Siró Pacenti, the winery is located in the Pelagrilli area, on the north-eastern slope of Montalcino.
Today, it is led by Giancarlo Pacenti.
Compared to the other two estates, Siró Pacenti follows a more modern, technical approach:
- use of French oak barriques (225 liters), often new
- influence of French winemaking philosophy
- international style
The wines are:
- velvety
- rich
- powerful
- intense
A Brunello that interprets the territory with strength and concentration, without losing its family identity.
Conclusion
The story of the Pacenti family shows how a single root can give rise to three distinct expressions of Brunello di Montalcino:
- Canalicchio di Sopra → elegance and minerality
- Franco Pacenti → tradition and purity of Sangiovese
- Siró Pacenti → power and modernity
Three wineries, three styles, one great family.
A fundamental chapter in the winemaking history of Montalcino.
