The name of this wine comes from the passo found in the circular forest at the highest point of the Montebello vineyard where an Estruscan tomb was uncovered only a few years ago. From here there is a clear view of Montepulciano, Montalcino, and the tower of Piazza del Campo in Siena. This has clearly been a magical place for centuries, which adds to the mystique of this passo. Grapes are first selected during harvest in the vineyard and then by an optical sorter when they arrive at the winery; they are destemmed and the whole berries are immediately placed in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks to perform fermentation. The must is kept in contact with the skins for 20 days. The wine spends 14 months in French oak fermenters and in French oak barriques, 6 of which are spent on the fine lees.