The origins of Syrah in Cortona

The town of Cortona has ancient Etruscan origins and is situated at nearly 600 metres above sea level, facing the Valdichiana.

Cortona boasts of an ancient winemaking tradition going back to the Etruscans who planted vines here.

It’s believed that the presence of Syrah in Cortona is due to private cultivation after being introduced to Tuscany by the Count of Montecarlo of Lucca on his return from a trip to France at the beginning of the 20th century.

More recent testimony on the use of Syrah in wine production in Cortona dates from the 1970’s when some wineries, having found traces of it in their vineyards, decided to investigate its genomic origins. With the help of Professor Attilio Scienza and the University of Milan, thorough research was carried out on the characteristics of the terrain and climate of Cortona.

At the end of this course of study and research, an experimental vineyard was planted with different varieties and clones of Syrah for the purpose of identifying which among them was best adapted to the Cortona microclimate. During this study the similarity between the Cortona microclimate and that of the Rhone Valley, an area that is internationally recognised today as the birthplace of Syrah, was recognised.

In 1999 the denomination Cortona DOC was approved. Today Syrah is one of the most widely cultivated wine varietals in the Cortona territory, such that it represents about 80% of the Cortona DOC production.