THE ASSEMBLY OF MONTALCINO WINEMAKERS HAS APPROVED THE BRUNELLO FOUNDATION. PRESIDENT BINDOCCI SAID, “IT IS AN EXCEPTIONAL EVENT AND WINE CONSORTIUMS ARE NOW READY TO BECOME “BANKS” FOR TtERRITORIES". RESOURCES AT 2 CENTS A BOTTLE

Following a long planning period, the Assembly of Montalcino Winemakers has give the green light to the Foundation of the Consortium of Brunello. The project “emphasizes” the new role of the consortia, taking them from protection agencies to becoming indispensable for the growth and promotion of territories. The initiative had already been achieved in 1991, when the Chianti Classico Consortium launched its own Foundation for protection of its territory and improvement of its artistic, cultural and environmental heritage.
“But”, continued Bindocci, “some details and the value of the Brunello di Montalcino brand, among the most important in the world, could open the road to other important names in Italian wine which could become” "banks "for their territories. It is an innovative model because the added value created by Brunello remains in the area and makes it grow”, said the president and the vice president of the Consortium of Brunello, Fabrizio Bindocci and Bernardo Losappio who oversaw the whole process that led to the creation of the Foundation, leading to the green light from the Assembly of Consortia today (www.consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it).
The main purpose of the Foundation will be to fund (based on the bank model) local development projects from tourism to the restoration of artistic and cultural heritage, as well as the social aspect and integration in the town of Montalcino, where people from more than 15 different nationalities live, thanks to a consolidated and genuine "melting pot".
It won’t happen in dribbles, but rather year-by-year, focusing on concrete and well thought out projects and ideas. Most of the resources for the projects should probably come from the voluntary contribution of producers estimated at 1-2 cents per bottle, or grouped together that according to initial estimates would bring a budget of 150-200.000 euros per year. Further, the Foundation, though linked to the Consortium, will have an autonomous management and will be open to outside investments and contributions.