History
Biondi Santi's history dates back to the mid-19th century when Clemente Santi, a pharmacist and naturalist, founded the estate. He purchased Tenuta Greppo and began experimenting with Sangiovese grapes, aiming to create wines with great aging potential. In 1888, Clemente introduced Brunello di Montalcino, a red wine made from Sangiovese Grosso, which he aged in oak barrels for many years. His grandson, Ferruccio Biondi Santi, continued this tradition, identifying a superior clone of Sangiovese and producing a single-varietal wine that became known as Brunello di Montalcino.
Ferruccio's son, Tancredi, took over the estate after Ferruccio's death in 1917 and expanded the production of Brunello di Montalcino. Despite facing severe hardships, including outbreaks of phylloxera and economic recessions, Tancredi ensured the estate's legacy. His son, Franco Biondi Santi, played a crucial role in internationalizing the brand, with his wines being served to Queen Elizabeth II in 1969, which significantly boosted the estate's fame.
Today, Biondi Santi remains a family-owned winery, known for its traditional methods and high-quality wines. The estate continues to use Slavonian oak casks from the 19th century to age its reds, maintaining the signature style that has made Brunello di Montalcino a beloved region among collectors and wine enthusiasts.
Terroir
Biondi Santi's terroir is characterized by its unique location and soil composition. The vineyard, Tenuta Greppo, is situated southeast of Montalcino at a high altitude, which provides a ventilated area conducive to grape growth. The soil is rich in galestro, a type of limestone that contributes to the wines' structure and acidity. This combination of climate and terrain allows the grapes to grow fresh and contain fruity notes, making the wines well-balanced and long-lasting.
The estate's high-altitude vineyards are terraced, which helps in maintaining optimal grape ripeness. The galestro-rich soil, along with the family's proprietary Sangiovese clone, BBS11, enhances the grapes' quality. This unique terroir, combined with meticulous vineyard management and winemaking techniques, results in wines that are renowned for their longevity and finesse. The estate's holistic approach to viniculture, emphasizing regenerative practices, further ensures the soil's health for future generations, thereby maintaining the terroir's integrity over time.
