Jacopo Biondi Santi
The roots of this brilliant adventure go back to the 1800s, when Ferruccio Biondi Santi planted the first Montalcino vineyard with vines of a selected Sangiovese clone, called Sangiovese Grosso or Brunello: it was the first step towards a new way of making wine that would soon become an international success. Moved by the same curiosity and innovative spirit, his son Tancredi was one of the minds behind the creation of a disciplinary for the DOCG, as well as the first one to introduce the particular custom of topping up the ullage levels of older vintages to improve their longevity. His son Franco, at the helm of the family company for over 43-years, worked hard to further the reputation of Biondi Santi as an international standard-bearer for excellence in winemaking. An extraordinary wine heritage, the fruit of over a century and a half of history now in the capable hands of Franco’s son, Jacopo, who in the spirit of his ancestors has given life to new family of wines combining tradition and innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Jacopo Biondi Santi winery located?
The Jacopo Biondi Santi project is based at Castello di Montepò, in the municipality of Scansano, in the province of Grosseto, in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma. The estate covers around 600 hectares in total, of which 50 are under vine, on a hillside slope facing southwest toward the Tyrrhenian coast. Although it falls outside the Montalcino appellation, the project carries forward the legacy of the Biondi Santi family, who in the 19th century originated Brunello production in Montalcino with Ferruccio Biondi Santi's first Sangiovese plantings.
Who founded the Jacopo Biondi Santi winery? Is it a family project?
Yes: Jacopo Biondi Santi is the son of Franco Biondi Santi, who made Tenuta Il Greppo in Montalcino an international benchmark for Brunello. In 1991 Jacopo started an independent project at Castello di Montepò in the Maremma, with the first vintage of Sassoalloro; today his children join him in running the winery. The project carries forward the Biondi Santi family legacy, combining tradition and innovation with the goal of developing a new territory outside Montalcino.
What approach do they take in the vineyard and cellar at Jacopo Biondi Santi?
The winery relies on precision viticulture, supported by an extensive network of weather stations that monitors the microclimate of each area of the estate in real time, allowing targeted, plot-by-plot interventions. In the cellar, the grapes — including Sangiovese Grosso BBS11 (a clone selected by the Biondi Santi family), Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon — age in large casks and fine barriques at constant temperature and humidity, an approach that combines traditional methods with modern winemaking technology.
What wines does Jacopo Biondi Santi produce? What is their most famous wine?
Production centers on two main labels: Sassoalloro, a pure Sangiovese, and Schidione, a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sassoalloro, the project's flagship wine since its first vintage in 1991, is the most direct expression of the BBS11 Sangiovese Grosso clone selected by the Biondi Santi family, while Schidione expresses the more international, structured side of the range, built for aging.
Can you visit Jacopo Biondi Santi's Castello di Montepò?
Yes, Castello di Montepò can be visited year-round by online booking, with three different tasting experiences depending on the season (autumn-winter from November to March, spring-summer from April to October). The visit includes a tour of the aging cellars inside the castle and a tasting of three of the estate's most representative wines, held in the castle's centuries-old hall.
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