Brunello Cucinelli presents the second vintage of Castello di Solomeo in New York (#1685698)

Long before “calm luxury” was a buzzword, and long after it is, Brunello Cucinelli defined this philosophy, which extends beyond clothing and accessories to become a lifestyle. The brand's “Casa Cucinelli” concept, launching in 2021, provides a deeper physical manifestation of that lifestyle beyond its multiple retail locations around the world.

Cucinelli's 2018 Castello di Solomeo vintage wine, which debuted in 2023, completes your luxurious lifestyle in a way that most fashion brands could only dream of. For the 2019 vintage, Casa Cucinelli hosted the New York media for an exclusive private dinner without social media or official photographs to taste both wines. The 2019 version was unveiled in Italy last month during a celebration inspired by La Paulée.

Located at 689 Fifth Avenue, the private second-floor shopping space oozes IYKYK, as shopping appointments are typically by invitation only and on a one-on-one basis for VICs (Very Important Clients). Completely decorated to resemble a spacious Manhattan loft-style apartment, guests mingled in the space's kitchen, sipping $200-a-bottle Krug Champagne.

Hosted by Massimo Carrone, Brunello Cucinelli, President and CEO of North America, and Patrick O' Connor, CEO of Fine+Rare Group, an international marketplace for prestigious wineries, distinguished wineries and renowned producers, the intimate dinner for 26 guests— which included traditional antipasti, Cacio and Pepe pasta, Veal Tagliata, tiramisu and Castello di Solomeo olive oil, began with a recap of the brand's inaugural wine celebration. Cucinelli's 'Wine Davos', which was inspired by the traditional French post-harvest celebration of Burgundy.

That event, which took place over two days and featured seven winemakers, including Krug and Castello di Solomeo, hosted about 200 attendees who experienced wine tastings, Italian craftsmanship and Renaissance-inspired entertainment in the picturesque village of Solomeo, which Cucinelli began to revive in 1982 when he bought its 14th-century castle.

Here, wine collectors and VIC brands gathered (and often overlapped or became wine collectors or luxury cashmere collectors) to taste the 2019 vintage Castello di Solomeo for the first time and compare it to the debut version of 2018. The wine is a blend of four grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and, for a local touch, Sangiovese. (One wine critic joked that it was similar to a 'Tuscan Super Red', but more accurately, because of the region, it would be an 'Umbrian Super Red').

As a company spokesperson explained the wine to guests, they credited the 2018 for being “a strong wine, not shy, it's dangerous. It has beautiful tannins and freshness and a softer, silkier, velvety character with dark cherry notes.” mature, very generous hints of spice, black pepper, nutmeg, balsamic touches and bay leaf with 14.5% alcohol.

After having aged 16 months in new French oak barrels plus four years in bottle, the wine already had a more mature flavor than the new vintage, which they described as “small forest fruits, blueberries, blackberries and hints of spice with fresh balsamic notes.” very elegant and very classy. “It is a wine that is at the beginning of its evolutionary path and that has strong legs to last for decades.”

The representative also drew a line between winemaking and fashion, since both work in several seasons at the same time; creating one while launching another.

Like the fashion brand, it is very exclusive. With vines planted in 2011 in concentric wavy rows, the 12 acres of vines would produce a maximum of 20,000 bottles a year, but the brand plans not to exceed half that amount, following a “less is more” philosophy. According to the spokesperson, only 7,000 bottles of the 2018 vintage were produced. This complementary brand extension is therefore not a commercial extension but a deeply personal project for the Cucinelli family, whose roots in the region date back to farmers with a close connection to the land.

While you won't find it in your local wine store, O'Connor and his team are the conduits for a select number of bottles to become part of the private cellars of esteemed wine collectors.

Presumably, VICs will be able to try it out on occasion at the various Casa Cucinelli locations around the world.
Currently, there are ten global locations of the private shopping concept, with two more Casa Cucinelli set to debut in 2025, one in Los Angeles and another in Rome, further expanding the theater in which Cucinelli expresses his understated yet super-luxury vision.