Il Paradiso di Frassina, also known as Mozart’s Winery is located on the foothills of Montalcino’s northern side. It is here that Carlo Cignozzi started experimenting, for the first time in the world, the beneficial effects of Mozart on wine. With research support from the Universities of Florence and Pisa, and state-of-the-art custom-made speakers from Bose. What initially was just a dream, quickly became a reality. The winery has been playing Mozart’s symphonies and monitoring the effects for over 20 years now.
Musical vibrations, together with dictates of organic farming. Give rise to a healthy vineyard of premium grapes. For a small but excellent range of wines
About the Winery
As you approach il Paradiso di Frassina, you hear the unmistakable sound of music. Even with no training or understanding for classical music. The joyful and harmonious symphonies immediately bring to mind Mozart, who we are all familiar with. By the time you have arrived and parked. You are now thoroughly being serenaded by Mozart. Even though the source of the music may not yet be evident…
Carlo Cignozzi always loved music, and was drawn to a series of studies on the beneficial influences of music on animals and vegetation that were carried out in the Far East. That was when he decided that music would be played to his vines. This was not just a romantic dream. Carlo was convinced that music would help in the production of good wine. After initially being considered a visionary, he’s now not the only one.
The Research
Researchers from the Universities of Pisa and Florence have been assisting Carlo in monitoring the effect of the music on the vines. Which indeed helps vines grow stronger and bear larger and healthier grapes!!
It is true that vines are not able to “hear” the music, since unlike most animals, they do not have organs for hearing. However, sound waves are a source of energy, which can be perceived by the vine on a cellular level.
Music influences the plants, aiding their metabolism, their production of chlorophyll and boosting their foliage.
The vineyard has been divided into different parts, and these are monitored throughout the growing season. The vines closest to the music are the most robust, with the most vigorous foliage. At harvest, the quality of the grapes are tested. There is a distinct difference between those that are intensely receiving the music, and those too far to perceive the sound waves. The grapes closest to the speakers, for example, have the highest sugar content and go into producing the top Brunello Mozart wine.
Stefano Mancuso, a plant neuro-biologist with the University of Florence. Gave a talk on the roots of plant intelligence on Ted, and has been studying the Mozart vineyard since 2003. He has found that sound also dramatically reduces the number of attacks from insects and parasites, which remain confused and unable to locate one another for mating. Birds and other animals who like to feed on the grapes also, stay away, so there’s no need for the use of pesticides!
The Bose Speakers
The company Bose heard about these studies, donated 72 speakers and financed more research. The project of laying down 3km of cable at a depth of about 4 feet was an ambitious one. Ecological cables that do not emit an electromagnetic field were used, in line with Carlo’s desire to create a setting that is in harmony with the surrounding environment.
Efforts paid off when the sound system was turned on, and the growing vines and developing grapes have been producing the famous Mozart wine ever since.
The Wines
l’Impostino Monteccucco DOCG Riserva | Tenuta l’Impostino
This aged Montecucco pays homage to the great tradition of hospitality of the Estate and is its most representative wine, carrying the name of the Estate itself. It is a warm and smooth wine, with a full body and a balanced and satisfying, persistent aftertaste.
€ 23.00
l’Impostino Monteccucco DOCG Riserva | Tenuta l’Impostino
This aged Montecucco pays homage to the great tradition of hospitality of the Estate and is its most representative wine, carrying the name of the Estate itself. It is a warm and smooth wine, with a full body and a balanced and satisfying, persistent aftertaste.
€ 23.00
Flauto Magico Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG | Paradiso di Frassina
An inimitable Brunello, this Riserva has been produced since 2008, when 82 speakers were installed among the rows into the Mozart vineyard thanks to the Bose company. The vines nearest to Mozart’s music over about a hectare gave birth to the first great growth (increased foliage) or Cru of Paradise, and only these lucky grapes immersed in Mozart’s harmonies are used, and continue to be accompanied by Mozart’s music in its aging in barrels and bottles.
€ 120.00
l’Impostino Monteccucco DOCG Riserva | Tenuta l’Impostino
This aged Montecucco pays homage to the great tradition of hospitality of the Estate and is its most representative wine, carrying the name of the Estate itself. It is a warm and smooth wine, with a full body and a balanced and satisfying, persistent aftertaste.
€ 23.00
Mix a case of Paradiso di Frassina wines
