Ferenc Máté, international best-selling author and his wife Candace, a painter, left New York City in 1990 for the Tuscan countryside. In the world-revered wine zone of Montalcino, they bought an ancient, abandoned farm with a canyon, waterfalls and a 10th century friary with tower and courtyard.
 
The Máté family's boutique, organic wine estate, surrounding the 12th century friary they restored, is in Montalcino's prestigious Santa Restituta zone, home to Gaja and Case Basse. The seven small vineyards totaling seven hecatres, are encircled by gragrant Mediterranean woods and wild herbs. Their high altitude and wonderfully varied soils, combined with the cooling sea breezes impart character and structure to the grapes.
 
6 x 2018 Máté Brunello di Montalcino
6 x 2020 Máté Mantus Merlot
 
2018 Brunello di Montalcino
100% Sangiovese, Certified Organic
 
All work in the vineyards and cellar is done meticulously by hand. Fermented with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled vats. The wine matures for up to 3 years in 500 and 4,000 litre French oak, and ages in bottles for a minimum of 6 months.
 
“A serious red, this boasts macerated cherry, plum, rose hip, almond and tobacco flavours. Powerful, featuring full-bore, well-integrated tannins, with a long, lively, mineral-infused finish.” –– 95 Points, Wine Spectator
 
“...Máté Brunello di Montalcino reveals dark layers of black cherry and plum with soft spice, leather and tilled earth. The wine also shows a delicate side with lavender and Mediterranean herb. It feels tart and fresh on the palate, and it offers an accessible, medium-weight texture. There is a hint of cooling mint on the close. Albeit informal, this is a fun and lively Brunello.” — 93 points, Robert Parker
 
2020 Mantus Merlot
Only 4000 bottles produced - 100% Merlot
 
All work in the vineyards and in the cellar is carried out by hand. Only perfectly ripe, carefully selected grapes are harvested in 20-kilo casks. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled vats, the must is pumped over and pressed manually. The wine matures for 18 months in 225-liter French oak barrels and matures for at least 6 months in bottles
 

This hand-picked Merlot thrives on sandy soil and shows the taste typical of the Montalcino region. It has a dense structure with aromas of plums, blueberries and chocolate, a full body, well integrated tannins and an almost endless finish