The Italian-based biodynamic producer Avignonesi Winery has acquired its third vineyard in 18 months, making it one of the region's largest producers of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Sixty-six hectares in the Montepulciano DOCG appellation was bought from from Golmat, meaning Avignonesi owner Virginie Saverys now owns a total of 200ha of vineyards across the region.

The newly acquired vineyards are divided between four main properties: Matracchio, Greppo, Lodola and Le Badiole. The majority of vineyards are currently planted with Sangiovese, and there is some Merlot.

The property also includes a state-of-the art, three-level cellar facility for vinification and barrel ageing that was completed in 2004. Built entirely underground and relying on gravity flow, the cellar requires no use of mechanical pumps to move the must from destemming to fermentation and on to barrels, reducing to a minimum the strain on the wine during the vinification process.

Saverys said: "Since I took over Avignonesi in 2009 I have worked indefatigably towards two important goals. One is the conversion of the entire winery to biodynamic farming methods: I seek to produce not only fine quality wines, but also healthier wines, and these methods allow the true character of the Montepulciano terroir to be expressed. The other goal is to expand the vineyard holdings, permitting the winery to reach own production levels that allow Avignonesi to market Vino Nobile di Montepulciano around the world."

Avignonesi wines are imported by Vinum in Twickenham, south west London.