Biondi Santi Tenuta Il Greppo Archivi

Greppo winery was founded in 1800, just a few kilometres from Montalcino, thanks to the deep passion of the Santi family for nature and oenology, particularly Clemente Santi. Clemente Santi had a degree in pharmacy, and his profound chemical and scientific knowledge enabled him to study special oenological techniques that, at the end of the 19th century, brought him important awards for his Brunello and Moscatello wines. The name Biondi Santi derives from the union of Clemente Santi’s daughter with the Florentine doctor Jacopo Biondi and finds its identity in the couple’s son, Ferruccio Biondi Santi, who made the first wine obtained by vinifying Sangiovese in purity. In 1932, precisely because of his discoveries, Ferruccio was defined by an Interministerial Commission as the inventor of Brunello. Since then, the successors of the Biondi – Santi family have continued to study and improve their Brunello di Montalcino, inventing new practices such as recolmatura, which allowed the typicality and quality of the wines of Tenuta il Greppo Biondi Santi to be known throughout the world.

The Greppo Biondi – Santi estate extends for 47 hectares, more than half of which is planted with Sangiovese grosso (25 hectares of the total) and includes plantings of different years. Every year, the estate makes a selection of the soils, favouring those that are marly and rich in skeleton over those that are too fertile.

The harvest is carried out completely by hand and involves the meticulous selection of the best grapes that will produce Brunello di Montalcino (only vineyards that are at least 10 years old are chosen for the type of vintage). Those that are discarded are, instead, used for the production of bulk table wine.

The vinification, fermentation and ageing process takes place in the cellar. Fermentation is carried out in cement tanks and temperature-controlled vats. The wine is then racked into Slavonian oak barrels and bottled after four years.

Production includes: Brunello di Montalcino (also in its most prestigious version Riserva), Rosso di Montalcino (also in its most elegant version called Fascia Rossa).

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Tenuta Il Greppo, home of Biondi Santi, located and in what part of Montalcino does it produce?

Tenuta Il Greppo is located a few kilometers from Montalcino and is the original estate of the Biondi Santi family. The property covers 47 hectares, of which 25 are planted with Sangiovese Grosso, with an annual land selection that favors galestro-rich, stony soils over more fertile ones, considered less able to express Brunello's potential.

Who founded Tenuta Il Greppo? Is this where Brunello di Montalcino was born?

Yes: Il Greppo was founded in the 19th century by Clemente Santi, trained as a pharmacist, whose chemistry knowledge earned him major recognition for his Brunello and Moscatello as early as the late 1800s. From the marriage of Clemente's daughter to the physician Jacopo Biondi came Ferruccio Biondi Santi, the first to vinify pure Sangiovese: in 1932 an Interministerial Commission officially declared him the inventor of Brunello.

What approach do they take in the vineyard and cellar at Il Greppo Biondi Santi?

Harvest is entirely by hand, with rigorous selection of the best grapes: only vines at least ten years old are used for Brunello Annata, while rejected grapes go into bulk table wine. Fermentation takes place in concrete tanks and vats at controlled temperature, followed by aging in Slavonian oak casks and bottling after four years.

What wines does Tenuta Il Greppo Biondi Santi produce?

Production includes Brunello di Montalcino, also in the prestigious Riserva version, and Rosso di Montalcino, also available in the more refined 'Fascia Rossa' version. These wines carry forward the legacy of the family that first experimented with techniques such as topping up casks, helping spread Brunello di Montalcino's fame around the world.

Has Tenuta Il Greppo Biondi Santi received major awards?

Yes: among its most recent accolades are the Grand Gold awarded by Mundus Vini to the 2010 vintage and the Corone from Vinibuoni d'Italia for the 2007 vintage. These add to the winery's historic first: the first bottle of Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, produced in 1888 by Ferruccio Biondi Santi, has been made only 40 times from 1888 to today.

Can you visit Tenuta Il Greppo Biondi Santi? Do they offer tastings?

Yes, the estate offers cellar visits and wine tastings, accompanied by an expert guide in Italian or English. The visit ends with a tasting, either standing (about 45 minutes) or seated (about an hour) — an experience designed to explore up close the history of the place where Brunello di Montalcino was born.