In the 1950s, Pierluigi Talenti left Romagna for the soft, sunny hills of Montalcino. After a few years, he decided to acquire the estate and all its land with which he had fallen in love. Over the years, he devoted his time to clonal research of Sangiovese throughout Montalcino, bringing his wines to the highest levels of quality. Today, his grandson Riccardo Talenti runs the vineyard and continues this research with the greatest respect for tradition, working with the same passion and determination as his ancestor.

The estate developed around an old farmhouse called “Pian di Conte”, not far from Sant’Angelo in Colle, on the southern slope of the municipality of Montalcino, which has been restructured and enlarged over the years. The property occupies an area of ​​40 hectares, between vineyards, olive groves, orchards and seed crops, surrounded by centuries-old holm oak forests, characteristic of the Montalcino region. The land is divided into eleven parcels, each with a different altitude, exposure and soil composition, creating incredibly complex and deep red wines.

The project began in 2001 with the passion of brothers Lodovico and Piero Antinori, with their nephew Niccolo’ Marzichi Lenzi and shareholder Umberto Mannoni. They decided to bring this territory to life and forge the history of Tenuta di Biserno and Tenuta Campo di Sasso.

Located in the municipality of Bibbona in Upper Maremma, on the edge of the historic village of Bolgheri to the north, the exceptional terroir, the unique soil of the Bolgheri conglomerate, the natural conditions, the exposure to the wind and the microclimate combine to allow the growth of vines of unquestionable quality, which in turn produce unique, authentic and distinctive wines.

The Tenuta di Biserno estate extends over more than 40 hectares and is located 90 meters above sea level.  The soils are very stony, they are mainly alluvial, with some clay-limestone, rich in calcium carbonate. The vines are cultivated mainly with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.  The combination of the maritime influence of the neighboring Mediterranean and the different aspects between the vineyards gives rise to the two distinct production styles of Biserno and Il Pino di Biserno.

Tenuta Campo di Sasso, for its part, extends over more than 56 hectares and is located at a lower altitude than the Biserno estate. The soil is sandier and, in terms of microclimate, it is warmer here during the summer months.  These conditions are perfect for growing Syrah and Vermentino, as well as the main Bordeaux grape varieties.  The wines produced in Campo di Sasso are Insoglio del Cinghiale and Occhione.

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.

As its name suggests, Vino Nobile was a wine that was reserved for the drinking pleasure of Italian nobility, with mentions in Papal documents that date back to the 16th Century. After the ravages of phylloxera, much of government funding aid was concentrated on the Chianti zone, leaving Montepulciano in relative ruin. It wasn’t until after the agricultural crisis in the 1960’s that this historic appellation began its ascent to its present position amongst Italy’s most renowned appellations. In 1980, testament to the work of the region’s top estates, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano was given Italy’s top appellation status, DOCG.

Under the direction of Maria Caterina Dei and winemaking supervised by oenologist Niccolò d’Afflito, Cantina Dei produces Vino Nobile wines of depth and finesse. So seductive in youth, it is understandably difficult to wait to drink them, however, patience is rewarded as the wines age magnificently. Aside from a classic Vino Nobile DOCG, Dei also produces a magnificent Rosso di Montelcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva which is sourced from the sandy limestone soils of the Bossona Cru, and which is given extended aging in tonneaux. As is the Dei signature, the fruit remains the focus alongside silky and sultry tannins.

It was in 1996 that Angelo Gaja purchased this fabulous property in Castegneto Carducci in the heart of one Tuscany’s most renowned appellations, Bolgheri. While the land was not under vine, Gaja could see the potential of the soils, planting merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, sangiovese and syrah. Ca’Marcanda’s first vintage was in 2000 and in 2002, Gaja built an ultra-modern winemaking facility.

As is with all of the three family domains, the winemaking is supervised by Guido Rivella, who has been Gaja’s trusted winemaker for more than 30 years. The cuvée Promis, a blend that is predominately syrah, is a Toscana IGT which shows how well this grape is adapted to Bolgheri. “Magari” is a classic Bolgheri blend, however due to a few parcels which are just outside the appellation zone, the cuvée is also classified IGT. The grapes for Ca’Marcanda’s DOC Bolgheri is sourced from the best parcels which are located around the winemaking facility. While the wines already garner wide critical acclaim, one can’t help but feel that the best is yet to come for this exceptional property.