As one of Tuscany’s most prestigious estates, Tenuta Luce is historically renowned for its world-class wines which are the result of an ambitious project begun in the early 1990s. Aimed at obtaining the fullest expression of the Montalcino territory, the project was, and continues to be, a resounding success, resulting in a wine that is now considered one of Italy’s most iconic: Luce.
Vintage after vintage, Luce’s vinification process and blend assembly follow and respect the characteristics of the grapes in each growing year, without deviating from the guiding concept of a harmonious balance between Sangiovese and Merlot. Dense and velvety with notes of ripe berry fruit, Luce is….luscious, as are the wineries three other labels: Lucente, a fruit-forward, ‘drink now’ Merlot/Sangiovese blend and a delicious entry point to the world of Luce, the noble and forceful Luce Brunello which pays homage to the Montalcino Brunello tradition, and Lux Vitis, a very limited production Cabernet Sauvignon/Sangiovese bend.
In search of Luce’s heartbeat, fans from across the globe pilgrimage to its 615 pristine acres of vineyards, woods, and olive groves in the heart of Montalcino’s Val d’Orcia Nature Park, a rural landscape named in 2004 by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Here, guests can sample the wines during a tour that reveals the winery’s underground wine cellar, a subterranean temple above which lies an enchanting Mediterranean garden designed by landscape architect Richard Shelbourne. From the vaulted entrance and its succession of luminous arches, one passes to the production area and its large, pomace-colored, tulip-shaped concrete vats. Pristine barrel rooms are subtly illuminated by Luce’s radiant sun symbol, and in the elegant Cantina Storica, a Medieval library of sorts, one finds a collection of every vintage of every Luce label within a museum-like display.
And now, the Luce property is also home to a new restaurant with a dedicated chef. Located next to the cellar where Tenuta Luce wines are born and aged, the restaurant offers a fitting crown to the entire Luce experience. On the main floor, guests are welcomed by an elegant, fireplace-warmed reception area, above which floats the stylish, open-view kitchen and dining room that overlook the vineyards. During summer, meals are served en plein air on a spacious patio overlooking the garden.
Open exclusively to Tenuta Luce guests and only by reservation Monday through Friday, the restaurant features a daily created menu focused on seasonal ingredients and in accordance with guest preferences. Every dish showcases locally raised, traditional elements that follow the Tuscan tradition, all reinterpreted by the chef in an original, innovative way. Every menu is meticulously paired with a selection of Tenuta Luce wines, resulting in a harmonious and comprehensive eno-gastronomic experience. All the wines of Tenuta Luce are available in the restaurant.
Tenuta Luce claims an exceptional, westward-oriented spot overlooking what seems to be the whole of Tuscany–a magical place where wine celebrates life, tradition, and culture. Undulating hills peppered with majestic Cypress trees and ancient hamlets provide a stunning panorama, the colors of which change hourly. Even those who daily enjoy this vista continue to be charmed by its beauty. Visits to Tenuta Luce are planned in detail by trained professionals who genuinely care about guest comfort. To experience Luce from all angles (vineyard, barrel cellar, Wine Library and restaurant) is to fully understand the heart of this iconic Italian wine.
All photos courtesy of Tenuta Luce
