Upon arrival at the Cetti family property, nestled in the hillsides just south of the historic village of San Gimignano, one quickly understands why they refer to their estate as “paradise.” It sits amongst a mosaic of vines, olive trees and Cypress trees.

Under the watchful eye of Paolo Caciorgna, Paradiso produces a wide selection of red wines, including two cuvées of DOCG Chianti Colli Senesi alongside a series of Toscana IGT. Forged under the Tuscan sun, they are richly textured, structured and always in perfect balance. Without falling into the artifice of “modern” wines, Paradiso’s line-up offers a true reflection of their terroir and at a very accessible price. Their white offering, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano de Paradiso, is equally rooted in the terroir and shows vintage after vintage an aromatic exuberance with a comforting texture as well as Paradiso’s signature balance.

If you are travelling through Tuscany, the Cetti family have small apartments for rent, which have been restored in authentic Tuscan style. It’s an opportunity for you to see for yourself why they call it paradise.

Angelos Gaja’s purchase of Pieve Santa Restituta in 1994 marked his first foray into an appellation outside of his beloved Piedmont.

However in choosing Montalcino, he was still in familiar philosophical territory as, like in Piedmont, the wines are made with a single grape, in this case, sangiovese grosso.

The domain is named after the church of Pieve Santa Restituta, which can be found in the centre of the property. The vineyards are in the heart of the historic Montalcino growing area, considered to be the top growing sites by many, and where grapes have been sourced since the 12th Century. In keeping with the Gaja philosophy, there is one foot in the past with another in the future. In that vein, the existing buildings have been fully restored while he has constructed an ultra-modern winemaking facility which was designed by renowned architect Giovanni Bo, who also oversaw the construction of the equally breathtaking Ca’Marcanda winemaking facility.

The vineyards have been split into two distinct crus. Sugarille, with its clay and limestone soils, is a wine of immense power and depth, and a Brunello that is is meant for a long stint in a cellar. Rennina, with its richer soils, delivers a wine of finesse and precision, but with an equal capacity for aging. Since 2005, a “classic” Brunello is made with grapes from other parcels around the estate as well as those which were not selected for either Sugarille or Rennina.

The appellation of Carmignano, 15 kilometers northwest of Florence, earned Italy’s top DOCG status in 1990, joining many other prestigious Tuscan appellations.

As with much of Tuscany, sangiovese dominates, but blending with other grapes, including cabernet sauvignon, which has historical significance in these parts. Carmignano was the first Italian DOC to authorize blending cabernet sauvignon with sangiovese.

Mauro Vannucci and his daughter Silvia produce ambitious Carmignano from their estate Poggio a Caiano. Their approach includes the use of French barriques. The cuvée Il Sasso is always best drunk young due to its explosive fruit and silky tannins. The Carmignano Riserva, which is a product of extended barrel aging as per appellation laws, is built to age. Since 2009, the Vannuccis added another cuvée to their portfolio called Pietranera, which is made with grapes harvested from young sangiovese vines.