Biondi-Santi Wine Collection

The Spiritual Origin of Montalcino's Greatest Fine Wine It is a rare phenomenon in the world of fine wine for an entire celebrated appellation to trace its existence to a single estate, but Biondi-Santi is the undisputed progenitor of Brunello di Montalcino. In the late 19th century at Tenuta Greppo, Clemente Santi and his visionary grandson Ferruccio Biondi-Santi isolated the high-performing BBS11 (Brunello Biondi Santi 11) clone of Sangiovese Grosso. By foregoing common Tuscan practices of blending white grapes, Ferruccio bottled the first monovarietal Brunello in 1888, establishing a global gold standard for aristocratic power, razor-sharp natural acidity, and multi-generational aging potential.

Located northeast of the historic hilltop town of Montalcino, Tenuta Greppo’s high-altitude, galestro-and-clay vineyards yield structured Sangiovese wines crafted without modern extraction shortcuts. Fermented naturally in wood and concrete before patient maturation in massive neutral Slavonian oak botti, Biondi-Santi represents the ultimate expression of traditional Italian winemaking—renowned for evolving gracefully in private cellars for 50 to 100+ years.

Crown Jewels & Portfolio Highlights

• Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG: The ultimate crown jewel of Italian fine wine. Produced exclusively in exceptional vintages from the estate's oldest vines (25 to 80+ years old) and aged for years in Slavonian oak casks. Displays a translucent ruby core unfolding into complex layers of dried sour cherry, crushed violets, dried rose petal, pipe tobacco, leather, and flinty minerality—built to cellar for decades.

• Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino Annata DOCG: Sourced from vines aged 10 to 25 years old. A textbook expression of classical Brunello, offering laser-focused cherry acidity, firm fine-grained tannins, forest floor, and noble herbal lift.

• Biondi-Santi Rosso di Montalcino DOC: Crafted from the estate's younger Sangiovese vines. Unfolds with vibrant red berry brightness, crunchy orange peel acidity, and delicate floral complexity, offering early accessibility to the estate's house style.

Terroir Dynamics & Uncompromised Cellar Philosophy

• Tenuta Greppo Terroir: Situated at high elevations (up to 500 meters) on poor, stony soils dominated by galestro limestone-shale and marl. Deep diurnal temperature swings preserve high natural acidity and delicate aromatic top-notes.

• Proprietary BBS11 Sangiovese Clone: The estate's proprietary clone, officially recognized for its thick grape skins, concentrated phenolic content, and exceptional structural acidity.

• Slavonian Oak Cask Aging: Matured strictly in large, neutral Slavonian oak botti rather than heavily toasted new French barriques, ensuring the grape's pure voice and terroir drive remain unmasked by oak vanillin.

Epicurean Food Pairings & Decanting Guidance

• Decanting Protocol: Decant young vintages of Brunello Annata and Riserva for 2 to 3 hours prior to service to allow tightly wound tannins and tertiary aromatics to bloom. Serve in wide Burgundy stemware at 60–65°F (16–18°C).

• Gastronomic Companions:

  • Brunello Riserva & Annata: Traditional Bistecca alla Fiorentina, braised wild boar ragù (cinghiale), roasted rack of venison, truffle-infused dishes, and aged Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Toscano DOP.

  • Rosso di Montalcino: Pappardelle al cinghiale, roasted duck breast, mushroom risotto, and cured Tuscan charcuterie.