RICHARD GERE’S OWN BRUNELLO ... THE HOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR CREATES HIS PRIVATE LABEL OF THE GREAT TUSCAN RED WINE PRODUCED BY SAN FILIPPO IN MONTALCINO FOR "BEDFORD POST", THE “OFFICER AND GENTLEMAN’S" RELAIS & CHATEÂU IN NEW YORK

From Hollywood to Montalcino, the "star of stars", sex symbol par excellence, will have his own Brunello. Richard Gere has chosen Tenuta San Filippo, a small but prestigious winery in the territory of Montalcino, for its exclusive line of the famous Tuscan red, to bear the brand "Bedford Post", the beautiful Relais & Châteaux property that belongs to the star of "An Officer and a Gentleman", in the State of New York. Richard Gere’s Brunello will be "The Lucére" refined cru 2007 (Mr. "The Wine Advocate" Robert Parker the guru of international wine critics, gave it 92/100) and from Tenuta San Filippo it will arrive in the U.S. as a "private label" for "Bedford Post", in a very special limited edition with a label depicting the refined emblem of the ancient Estate turned into a "luxury retreat" by the American actor (info: www.sanfilippomontalcino.com).
The relationship between Brunello di Montalcino of the winery Tenuta San Filippo and Richard Gere is, therefore, much more than a passion, because they are the protagonists of the new liaison in wine - the "private label ". And it is a formula, which may not be the last, considering the love that binds the international star system to Italian wine. We are talking about two luxury brands, the great Tuscan red, "dream wine" par excellence for wine lovers around the world, and "Bedford Post" the 19th century property transformed into a Relais & Châteaux by the famous star of "American Gigolo", "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Pretty Woman", to name just a few of his cult films, in Westchester County, near New York (www.bedfordpostinn.com).
"The passion between the star system and the wine world is full of examples and case histories, but it always manages to reserve new surprises. In this case it is an operation that enhances the Brunello brand and, moreover, the entire Montalcino territory. Richard Gere’s choice is certainly a confirmation of how widespread the image of Brunello is in the U.S. right now," says Roberto Giannelli, head of Tenuta San Filippo. 22 hectares in the east of Montalcino suited for durable and elegant wines, like Brunello di Montalcino "La Lucére", a prestigious cru. The winery produces 18.000 bottles, quoted by major newspapers and international critics: Robert Parker of "the Wine Advocate” gave 92/100 to the 2007 vintage and "Wine Spectator " gave 96/100 to the 2004 “La Lucére”. It will be this label - signed by Cecilia Zerauschek - that will ideally unite the magical lands of Westchester County and the exclusive Tuscan hills of international excellence, just as Richard Gere desired.

Focus – San Filippo; portrait of a winery
Tenuta San Filippo is a small but prestigious reality in the wine world. It was founded in1972, there are 22 hectares, of which 11 are vineyards, and it produces 50.000 bottles.
There is an elegant Wine Resort, located in the ancient San Filippo village, east of Montalcino, suited to durable and elegant wines. Roberto Giannelli, head of the winery who, along with winemaker Paolo Caciorgna, has signed 11 vintages, all of great importance, produces Brunello di Montalcino San Filippo, Brunello di Montalcino "The Lucére" and only in the best years the Reserve, as well as Rosso di Montalcino.