Montalcino may be best known for its splendid Brunello but buzzing across its rolling hills are amazing honeybees silently working their magic amongst the vines. From the deep dark chestnut honey, to the gentle sunflower honey, each  exquisitely assumes the flavor of the plants and flowers that cover the land.  

On a recent trip back to my home in Montalcino, I stopped by my favorite honey store perched at the top of the village near the fortress.  The shop is awash in jars of honey of all flavors and sizes. Tucked in between the jars  are bottles of first press olive oil and award winning Brunello.  All the products come from the wonderful vineyard, Villa I Cipressi, which is a short distance just outside the walls of the village.  As much as I love my Brunello and olive oil, the lure of all those flavors of honey always pulls me in and has me shipping cases back to America.