These Bells Toll for ROSTA's Anti-Vibration Mountings

Wine lovers worldwide perk up at the mention of Brunello di Montalcino, an Italian brand renowned for its velvety black berries and structured tannins. So popular is this strain of Sangiovese grapes that, in 1988, Italy’s then-president Francesco Cossigna presided over the centennial of its first vintage. Key to its success is four years of maturity in absolute tranquility inside an oak barrel until it is released to the market.

The Chiesa de San Francesco has presided over the city of Montalcino for centuries.

The wine is produced in Montalcino, Italy, a hilltop city and fortress in Tuscany. Another of the city’s major tourist attractions is the Chiesa de San Francesco, a 100 ' bell tower that symbolizes the medieval theme of the city.

This “campanile” is upheld with bricks from the 15th century and has eroded in the subsequent years. The oscillations and vibrations constantly transmitted by the swinging bells have caused the structure to deteriorate. As the bell tolled daily over hundred of years, some of the old lime mortar broke out of the brick joints and the tower began to crack.

ROSTA’s v-element allowed the bells to continue ringing without damaging the tower or disturbing the village’s wine.

As the wine is highly sensitive to movement and atmospheric changes, the constant oscillating was rousing it from it mandatory four years’ slumber and inhibiting its development. Action had to be taken immediately.

City officials considered ceasing the ringing of the bells. This would slow the tower’s cracking and allow the wine to age without disruption. However, the chiming of the bells lends a great deal of charm to the city and the tourists’ euros certainly don’t hurt.

View of the support structure from afar.

The city of Montalcino contracted an independent architect to find a solution for the absorption of micro-vibrations causing the crack. As luck would have it, the architect had seen ROSTA S.r.l. Italy’s ad for anti-vibration mountings in an Italian technical journal. The Hunzenschwil, Switzerland-based provider of suspended, dampened, supported and tensioned drives and oscillating systems and patented rubber suspension element technology suggested positioning the belfry on the V45 mounts.

Main support sub-frame for the bell.

Oscillating bell pedestals were mounted on two support ROSTA anti-vibration mounts Type V 45. Type V anti-vibration mountings are designed to accept compression, tension and shear loading as well as combined loadings. Due to the mechanically secured principle of the anti-vibration mountings, no tearing off is possible. Elements are maintenance-free, insensitive to dirt and water and used for temperatures from -40°–180°F. Inside the core is a lighter alloy and housings are made of steel.

Special support arms hold up the bell.

Almost immediately, the lime stopped trickling. The “cantinas” or wine cellars located further down the hill reported no vibration and Wine Spectator predicts that 2009 will be a stellar year for Brunello di Montalcino.

ROSTA’s ringing device at work.

“We discussed ceasing the ringing of the bells,” says Peter Schmid at ROSTA AG. “The solution with our V45 elements was much better for them. If the delicious Brunello wine is not shelved quietly, you will have vinegar instead of good wine.”