For wine expert René Gabriel, Fabio Chiarelotto’s wines are «some of the best ever produced in Tuscany.» Meanwhile Similarly, Philipp Binaghi and Sven Gallinelli from the Swiss wine podcast Die Weinbrater say «one sip makes you crave more.»

In other words: In essence, Chiarelotto’s red wines don’t taste like a typical Tuscan; they surprise with a lot of freshness and energy, in the best possible way.

From Vodou to Wine

«Of course, I’m pleased with such positive feedback,» says Chiarelotto. But he still can’t fully grasp the excitement surrounding his winery. «It wasn’t planned that this way.»

Now 62, Chiarelotto hails originally from Olten, Switzerland, where he studied history and ethnology, developing a fascination for «Vodou.»

Fabio Chiarelotto not only has a flair for the right grape varieties,
but also the appearance of his wines (Image: zVg)

Interest Exists, but No Knowledge

In 1999, by chance, he learned that a vineyard near his mother’s hometown in Suvereto, Tuscany, was for sale. He didn’t hesitate long and, along with a friend, jumped at the opportunity. The two wanted to «build something» or «produce good wine," as he puts it, even if they couldn’t clearly define what that meant at the time.

In short, there was an interest in wine, but no real knowledge. Better conditions for starting as a winemaker can easily be imagined.

The Second Vineyard Is a Stroke of Luck

Their business partnership lasted three years before his friend stepped down. Chiarelotto carried on, and five years later, when another vineyard came up for sale, he seized the opportunity again—this time with Silvio Denz at his side, the Zurich-based entrepreneur who remains a co-owner of Montepeloso Winery today.

With this second vineyard, they hit the jackpot. «It was pure luck,» says Chiarelotto.

A Gut Decision

This is no cliché: Chiarelotto didn’t bother with soil samples when purchasing the land; he trusted his instincts. «To produce a drinkable wine, technique is essential. But to evoke emotion with wine, you need the right soil,» he says explains.

It seems he found exactly that. One verdict reads As one reviewer puts it: Fabio Chiarelotto knows how to capture the character of the Tuscan coast in a bottle. That’s what matters to him: «A good wine must be complex and unfold in the glass,» he says.

View of the Montepeloso winery (Image: zVg)

Now He's Venturing into White Wine

Today, he produces 120,000 bottles of red wine, including Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera, and Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines are available in Switzerland, among other places, at Baur au Lac Vins.

Within the next two years, he plans to release a white wine. But first, a new wine cellar needs to be built—the old one was as the current one was only temporary. He’s already found the land for it. A new chapter in the success story of Montepeloso Winery is about to be written.