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.