THE APPEAL AND GLAMOUR OF THE MONTALCINO TERRITORY HAS NOT CEDED. RUMORS ARE THAT THE ILLY GROUP HAS ACQUIRED THE HISTORIC BRUNELLO MASTROJANNI WINERY

Even in the face of recent scandals, the appeal and glamour that surrounds the terroir of Montalcino seem to stand firm. In fact, the latest rumors are that the historic Brunello Mastrojanni winery (famed worldwide for its rigorous classic style - best expressed with its ‘Vigna Schiena d’Asino’ – whose 80,000 bottles are produced with 23 hectares of vineyards in the Montalcino area) has already been sold to the Illy Spa Group.

The Illy coffee “empire” includes over 700 employees, of which 400 are located in Trieste and the remaining in branches in North America, Holland, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, China and Brazil. The brand is sold on five continents in 140 different countries, within over 50,000 public entities: an equivalent of about 6 million espressos a day. In 2006, exports reached 54% of total sales. The Illy Spa Group holds 100% of Illycaffè, 80% of Domori, 75% of Damman Frères, and 40% of Agrimontana.

This entrepreneurial family from Trieste has, in fact, already demonstrated its fascination with Montalcino. The owner, Francesco Illy, personally acquired the estate, Podere Le Ripi.