When we speak of the first Brunello di Montalcino in history, we are transported back to the mid-19th century, around 1865, when Clemente Santi took a decisive step that would forever change the viticulture of Tuscany by crafting a red wine exclusively from sangiovese grapes. However, it was his grandson, Ferruccio Biondi Santi, who planted the first vineyard in Montalcino composed solely of this variety, and who, in 1932, was officially acknowledged as the creator of the first Brunello through a report from the Ministry of Agriculture on Tuscan viticulture.
Nearly 160 years later, the seventh generation of the family continues to honour this pioneering vision, producing wines that retain Clemente's spirit and remind us of the meaning of a wine with a "sense of place."
Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino is a quintessential example of this heritage. It is crafted exclusively from sangiovese sourced from their own vineyards, meticulously selected to ensure the highest quality. The harvest is conducted manually with a careful selection of the finest clusters, and the vinification process combines barrels of various sizes and materials—stainless steel, wood, and concrete—to extract the purest expression of the grape and the terroir. The ageing process spans between 24 and 30 months in medium and large Slavonian oak barrels, imparting structure, complexity, and a characteristic elegance that defines the classic Brunello.
Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino is a living tribute to Clemente Santi and his pioneering vision of crafting a 100% sangiovese in Montalcino, preserving the essence of an icon that forever transformed Tuscan viticulture.