Local Ambassador Stories: the Peruzzi brothers, plum preserves in Montepulciano

The product you don't expect in the land of wine

Just a few steps from the historic center of Montepulciano, among the fields of the San Benedetto Farm, three brothers carry on a family story that tastes of ripe fruit and summer. They are Enrico, Luca, and Marco Peruzzi - guardians of an agricultural tradition that has evolved into a story of excellence: the production of coscia di monaca plum preserves, an authentic product deeply rooted in the local land.

From Summers in the countryside to the birth of the business

“It all started in the 1980s,” recall Enrico and Luca, “when the activity was only seasonal. As kids, we worked here during the summer months when we weren’t in school.”

What began as a simple summer job gradually became a lifelong choice.

The brothers inherited the land and the legacy of their grandparents, Gino and Maria, in Montepulciano - where every family used to have at least one coscia di monaca plum tree.

“Our grandfather was farsighted,” they remember. “He decided to plant a small orchard and involved us from an early age. He taught us to work with respect for the land.”

After studying Economics, Enrico, Luca, and Marco chose to return to their roots and found a small family business, continuing to produce jams with the same artisanal spirit as in the past but with modern skills: research, marketing, and direct customer relations. Enrico and Luca manage the farm directly, initially with help from their mother Natalina, while Marco contributes from Florence.

The Montepulciano plum: a unique fruit

The production of the San Benedetto Farm is wide-ranging: fig, cherry, and apple preserves; orange marmalade; peach, apricot, blackberry, and quince jams. But the queen of them all is the Montepulciano plum preserve.

The coscia di monaca plum, recognized as a Traditional Agri-Food Product (PAT) under the name Susina Mascina di Montepulciano, is an indigenous and wild variety, naturally grown without grafting.

The soil and climate of the Montepulciano hills give it a distinctive flavor and texture. “There have been attempts to grow it elsewhere,” the brothers explain, “but the plums that grow in Montepulciano are truly unique.”

The orchard extends across the areas of San Benedetto, Valardegna and Acquapuzzola.

The recipe: only fruit, no added sugar

“We wanted to make preserves like in the old days but with a new idea”, they explain: “to completely eliminate added sugar.”

The Peruzzi brothers were among the first in Italy to produce sugar-free preserves, following an intuition born from the natural sweetness of the plum itself.

The process is strictly artisanal: no thickeners, sweeteners, or additives, just fruit slowly cooked until it reaches the perfect consistency. To obtain 1 kg of preserve, about 2.5 kg of fresh fruit are needed. The result is an authentic product, with an intense and genuine flavor.

“It’s a niche product,” they admit, “but everyone appreciates it at first taste because it’s the real flavor of fruit.”

A story of family and passion

Everything in their company speaks of continuity: the label - handwritten by Marco over 35 years ago - is still the same. The required information has been added over time, but the original design remains unchanged.

Their production has been organic since the 1980s, when sustainable farming was still rare. Their certification code was among the first issued in Tuscany. “It’s not just an economic choice,” explains Luca, “but an act of respect for nature. We want to preserve it as it is.”

Their work follows the rhythm of the seasons: harvesting and production take place from June to October, while the rest of the year is dedicated to plant care, sales, and welcoming visitors.

From the farm to the “Frateria”

In 2003, the Agriturismo Frateria di San Benedetto was born, with apartments just steps from Montepulciano’s historic center. Visitors can purchase products directly at the shop next to the orchard, open daily and managed by Enrico and Luca.

Here, the plum preserve is not just a product, it’s the story of a way of living agriculture: with patience, dedication, and curiosity, the same qualities their grandfather Gino had—a visionary and tireless man who passed on to his grandchildren the desire to experiment without forgetting their roots.

Between tradition and the future

The Peruzzi brothers’ preserves are well-known both locally and nationally: you can find them in Montepulciano’s shops, in specialty stores, and in supermarkets—from Milan to southern Italy.

“We’ve created added value starting from agriculture,” they explain, “and we receive so many heartfelt messages from people who discover our product on store shelves and write to thank us.”

Despite the challenges of climate - late frosts, drought, and uncertain harvests - the brothers continue to believe in their project.

“Our life is our company. And every jar tells our story: Montepulciano, our family, and the authentic flavor of the coscia di monaca plum.”