Nalini and Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona: a toast to Italian excellence

We are talking about the Brunello wine, Charity Program and Tuscany and the common thread that holds this formidable three words together is the Cantina Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona, located in Montalcino in a splendid estate that boasts its origins in the 17th century, with its ASD , Brunello Bike.

Curiosity pushed us to deepen, also because the bond with Nalini lasts almost for eight years of mutual respect and collaboration, interviewing Paolo Bianchini, owner, together with his sister Lucia, of Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona.

"Nectar from heaven" and cycling: what can you tell us about these two passions?

“This extraordinary adventure was born starting from my personal experience, both sporting and human. After having "touched" the world of professionalism and having made cycling my greatest passion, I gave shape and identity to a Cycling Museum, where authentic memorabilia are guarded, for the joy of the enthusiasts like me of this noble sport. Over time it has become an unmissable stop for many great champions and former riders who have made us dream and who, between a glass of Brunello and the telling of legendary anecdotes, have left us their jersey as a memory. Cycling can be breathed among the scents of the must and it has often happened that, during harvest time, the likes of Paolo Bettini, Daniele Bennati or Miguel Indurain, just to name a few, have joined us."

Cycle tourism as a mean for the valorisation of territories and for the discovery of excellence: what is your pov?

“My vision of combining cycling with territorial exploration has roots in the past. For this reason we have chosen to strengthen Incoming even further, identifying the ideal traveler above all in the American public, lovers of the great epic of Italian cycling, of the Val d'Orcia and of our wine excellences. The transformation, seven years ago, of an ancient ruin located near the tasting room into a small temple of cycling,  with four showers to welcome tourists and to clean their bikes, has effectively sealed this union, which has become a cult place for many enthusiasts from all over the world.”

Surely there will be some tasty anecdotes about the cycling museum...

“There would be many. For example, on the occasion of the Tour de France, Riccardo Magrini and Alessandra De Stefano, commentators of the event, called into question the great Franco Bitossi, my dear friend, who, as the last Italian, had worn the Classic Combined jersey and held, among the other, the best placement. They didn't remember the color of the legendary shirt and Bitossi said that a friend of his from Montalcino had it and I very willingly sent the images to De Stefano to satisfy their curiosity. On many other occasions, not only during the TDF but also at the Giro d'Italia and for Strade Bianche, an event of which I am very fond, it is important for me to be present and our Cycling Museum is cited as a milestone for all lovers of our beloved sport.”

A few words about the ASD Brunello Bike charity project?

“In 2016 we created a non-profit association to support beneficial projects that were particularly close to our souls. The proceeds from the sale of the shirts  are donated to support the athletes of Objective 3, the sports club born from an idea by Alex Zanardi, for the professional and economic support of disabled athletes. The shirts that we have defined in recent days with our partner Nalini, at our side since the beginning and very similar to us for the excellence of the products and the human and professional quality of its staff, will be those whose sale will go to contribute to financing the expenses of the cyclists who will participate in the Paris Paralympics and we are deeply proud of this."

A new Limited Edition turquoise shirt will be revealed shortly, alongside the new blue and fuchsia kit, for all those who want to give concrete help to the Objective 3 athletes by purchasing these Made in Italy garments.

Stay in touch and go visit the Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Museum and Winery.

For more information on the winery: Ciacci Piccolomini D'Aragona