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Welcome to Vin Santo di Montepulciano, an Italian DOC that produces an amazing sweet wine in Tuscany! Since 1996, Vin Santo is recognized as a DOC wine, but people have been making it here for much longer. Each year, they make about 1,120 cases - not much at all. This small amount shows how carefully local winemakers work on each bottle.
Within this area, you will not find wines produced with Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc or Pinot Noir grape varieties. Instead, Vin Santo wines are steeped in the tradition of Italian grapes like Trebbiano or Sangiovese.
You'll find this wine area right in Tuscany's middle, with Chianti up north and Brunello di Montalcino to the west. What makes wines from here special is how the height of the land, weather, and soil work together. Only those sites that offer excellent exposure, an ideal microclimate and composition of soils are suitable to produce this classified wine.
Grape vines grow between 820 and 1,970 feet over sea level, and are predominantly east facing, creating different small weather zones that help the grapes grow well. The area has mild weather—warm in summer and cool in winter—perfect for growing Grechetto, Malvasia, Trebbiano, and Sangiovese grape varieties. To be classified as Vin Santo di Montepulciano, all the fruit used must grow in this specified prime area, that encompasses the entire Montepilciano municipality except for the Val di Chiana (Chiana Valley) lower area.
The ground here has clay mixed with limestone, which allows for excess water to flow away easily and keeps just enough water for the vines to grow good grapes.
The height and weather work together perfectly here. Higher places give grapes more tang and deeper tastes, which you need for sweet wines. Warm days make the grapes sweet, while cool nights keep their fresh taste and smell.
Like everywhere else, changing weather affects wine production in the region. When it gets warmer, grape picking times change, which can affect the wine's taste. Winemakers keep finding new ways to deal with these changes.
Making this wine takes a lot of work and time, especially drying the grapes the old way. But more people around the world want special sweet wines now, which could help make the area more famous.
Winemakers here are trying new things while keeping old traditions. Many now grow grapes without chemicals, which makes purer wine and makes nature-loving buyers happy. They're also getting better at telling people what makes their wine special, helping more people around the world discover it.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
The Vin Santo di Montepulciano area shows off the best of Tuscany. Here you'll find gentle hills covered with grape vines located at arround 400 meters over sea level, old towns, and beautiful stone houses that have watched over wine-making for hundreds of years. While the wine of Vin Santo is amazing, the whole area offers beautiful views and rich culture.
Montepulciano: Stroll through the winding streets of Montepulciano, where every turn reveals something stunning. This historic wine town beautifully blends ancient architecture with a rich wine culture. Explore charming wine shops set in old cellars, or find a vantage point to gaze at the expansive hills in the distance.
Cantine Dei: Interested in discovering the art of winemaking? This winery offers an immersive experience. Wander through their vineyards, explore their historic wine cellars, and sample exquisite wines in a picturesque environment.
Borgo Tre Rose: Situated just outside the town, this location has a distinct charm. Surrounded by endless grapevines, you can savour various Vin Santo wines while soaking in the tranquil scenery.
Avignonesi Winery: This winery combines winemaking with ecological responsibility. They embrace natural farming techniques to preserve their land's health. You can take a tour of the estate, taste their wines, and learn how their natural approach leads to exceptional products.
Pienza: A brief journey from Montepulciano brings you to this captivating town, often referred to as the "Perfect Town" due to its remarkable preservation. Perched above the enchanting Val d'Orcia valley, it's the perfect spot to pick up some local cheese, pour a glass of wine, and enjoy the breathtaking views.
The Vin Santo di Montepulciano region enjoys ideal conditions for wine production. Within this subregion, the vines are lovated in sites offering excellent exposure. In Tuscany, the combination of warm summers and mild winters creates a unique environment for these exceptional wines. The seasonal weather alterations occur perfectly to support healthy grape growth.
In July and August, the abundant sunshine helps the grapes pf Vin Santo become sweet and aromatic. As autumn arrives, cooler temperatures enhance the grapes' enticing fragrances. The area receives approximately 690 millimetres of rainfall annually, primarily in October, providing the grapevines with essential moisture without excessive water intake.
Visit between late September and early October to experience the highlight of the harvest season. Witness the traditional process of grape picking and winemaking of this classified wine. Many wineries host special events during this period, offering valuable insights into the art of winemaking.
If spring is more to your liking, consider coming from May to June. This is when the grape vines are lush and green, and winemakers are eager to give you a tour. The pleasant weather allows for comfortable walks through the vineyards and enjoyable outdoor wine tastings.
Whether you visit during harvest or in spring, you'll encounter something unique. Each season provides a fresh perspective on the fascinating process of wine production.
The Vin Santo di Montepulciano region features two primary soil types that contribute to its unique wines. While the vines are usually planted on mainly sandy soils, there are also vineyards located on tuffaceous-clay soils. Each type of soil plays an important role in the final profile of the wines..
Vin Santo di Montepulciano gets its special taste from mixing different types of grapes. In Vin Santo, you will not find your typical Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc or Pinot Noir grapes. Instead, the main ones are Grechetto, Malvasia, Trebbiano, and Sangiovese (a grape that is also widely used in table wines, known as Vino da Tavola in Italy). Each grape is previously dried using straw mats, and adds its own taste to make the wine unique.
Grechetto: This grape thrives in well-draining soil rich in clay and limestone. It requires warm days paired with cool nights for optimal growth. You can find it flourishing at elevations of 250 to 600 meters, where the temperature fluctuations contribute to its excellent flavour.
Malvasia Bianca: This versatile grape can adapt to various soil types, but it flourishes in sandy-clay soils rich in nutrients. It thrives in sunny conditions with some rainfall, resembling the climate near the Mediterranean Sea. Similar to Grechetto, Malvasia Bianca benefits from higher altitudes, where cooler air helps maintain its fresh flavour.
Trebbiano: This is the most widely planted grape in the area. It likes soil that air can move through easily, like sandy or mixed soil, which helps its roots stay healthy. It needs good sunshine to ripen but keeps its tangy taste, which is important for sweet wine. It also grows best 250 to 600 meters up high, where cool nights help keep its crisp taste.
Sangiovese: This red grape contributes to a unique type of Vin Santo known as Occhio di Pernice, distinguished by its darker and richer profile compared to standard Vin Santo. It thrives in well-draining soil rich in clay and limestone. Warm, sunny conditions are essential for its proper growth, and it flourishes alongside white grapes at comparable elevations. The local climate helps to achieve a balance between its sweetness and acidity, making it ideal for this special wine. This grape variety is also prominently featured in wines like Chianti Classico.
The dessert wines of Vin Santo di Montepulciano are truly remarkable. There are three primary types: Vin Santo, Occhio di Pernice, and Riserva. Each variety is crafted using unique combinations of Grechetto, Malvasia, Trebbiano, and Sangiovese grapes.
Vin Santo: This notable dessert wine is composed of 70% Malvasia and 30% Trebbiano grapes. It has an amber hue in the glass and aromas of dried figs, apricots, and honey. On the palate, it offers a smooth sweetness that lingers pleasantly.
Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice: A red wine featuring at least 50% Sangiovese, it exhibits a golden-amber colour. Its fragrance includes sweet cherries, strawberries, floral notes, and a hint of spice. While sweet, it maintains a delightful tang that prevents it from being overly sweet. This wine shares a commonality with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, as both predominantly utilize Sangiovese grapes.
Vin Santo Riserva: This exceptional wine undergoes a five-year aging process in oak barrels. The result is a complex profile with rich notes of dried fruit, honey, and toasted nuts, proving that the additional aging truly enhances the flavour.
The wines of Vin Santo di Montepulciano are special because of how they're made and where they come from. Wine producers of Vin Santo wines dry the grapes for months using straw mats, then age the wine in small wooden barrels. The hills and weather of Montepulciano help too.
Visit places like Cantine Dei, Borgo Tre Rose, or Talosa - they're known for making great Vin Santo.
You can visit the vineyards of Vin Santo di Montepulciano to learn how wine producers make this meditation wine. Try to come during harvest time for special festivals.
Vin Santo wines taste great with a wide range of Italian dishes:
Stay at a farm hotel (agriturismo) or a small hotel in the vineyards. You'll be right where they make the wine and can enjoy the beautiful views.
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