Italian Wine Podcast Ep. 2650 Alberto Rivera IWA interviews Leonardo Berti of Poggio di Sotto in Montalcino | Clubhouse Ambassadors' Corner
Welcome to Clubhouse’s Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2650 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Alberto Rivera IWA interviews Leonardo Berti of Poggio di Sotto in Montalcino to explore the estate’s history, vineyards, and winemaking philosophy.
These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand Leonardo Berti’s role and Poggio di Sotto’s prime location for Sangiovese in Montalcino.
- Explore vineyard biotypes, soil, altitude, and climate strategies shaping the wines.
- Learn the estate’s winemaking philosophy and approach to crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines.
More about today’s host:
Alberto Rivera embarked on his journey in the world of wine after concluding his service as a diplomat at the Mexican Embassy in Japan. He began his career by developing a private wine collection and hosting exclusive tastings for a discerning clientele. Following the successful completion of the Italian program of the Wine Scholar Guild, he was appointed Italian Wine Director for a Latin American online platform, where he lectured to emerging wine professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge of Italian wine and its cultural context as a tool to enhance their sales strategies.
In 2024, Mr. Rivera was admitted to the prestigious Vinitaly International Academy in Verona, where he successfully passed the rigorous examination to become an Italian Wine Ambassador. He also holds the title of Langhe Wine Ambassador. Today, he serves as a consultant for Italian-specialized restaurants in Chihuahua and the northern region of Mexico, advising on wine selection and curating programs that highlight Italy’s rich viticultural heritage.
Connect:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somm.albertorivera/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/y-alberto-rivera-o/
More about today’s guest:
Poggio di Sotto was established in 1989 and today comprises around 44 hectares of land, of which approximately 16 hectares are under vine. It is considered one of the benchmark estates of Montalcino, known for its rigorous organic viticulture and site-driven approach. The vineyards are located on the south-eastern side of the appellation, at elevations ranging from about 200 to 450 meters, with a mix of galestro, clay, and mineral-rich soils.
The estate works exclusively with Sangiovese Grosso, focusing on low yields, meticulous canopy management, and relatively late harvesting to achieve full phenolic ripeness. In the cellar, fermentations occur with indigenous yeasts, followed by extended aging in large Slavonian oak casks.
Leonardo Berti holds a degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of Florence. He began his career with the Antinori family and is now part of the agronomic and oenological team overseeing Poggio di Sotto and Tenuta San Giorgio within the ColleMassari group.
Connect:
Website: https://www.poggiodisotto.it/it/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collemassari-estates/posts/?feedView=all
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leonardo_berti6/
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