Castelnuovo Berardenga property owned since 1968 by Principessa Coralia Pignatelli, producing some of Chianti Classico's longest-lived traditionally-styled Riservas.
Signature wines: castell-in-villa-chianti-classico-riserva, castell-in-villa-poggio-delle-rose-riserva, castell-in-villa-santacroce
Scores: Vinous 95 (2016), Wine Advocate 94 (2016)
Address: Localita Castell'in Villa, 53019 Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Italy, Tuscany
Tiny Gaiole estate of 13 hectares founded in 1971 by Englishman John Dunkley. Organic since 2014, vegan vinification, and now producing 100% Sangiovese under the La Gioia Toscana IGT flagship.
Tasting: Small-group estate tastings by reservation; vegan-vinified wines.
Signature wines: riecine-la-gioia, riecine-chianti-classico-riserva, riecine-chianti-classico
Scores: Wine Advocate 96 (2018), Vinous 95 (2019)
Francois family estate in Greve in Chianti dating to 1897, set around a medieval castle. Il Picchio Gran Selezione anchors a Sangiovese-led range alongside Super Tuscan IGT bottlings.
Tasting: Cellar tours and tasting flights from the medieval castle property; on-site agriturismo accommodation.
Signature wines: castello-di-querceto-il-picchio, castello-di-querceto-la-corte, castello-di-querceto-chianti-classico-riserva
Scores: Wine Advocate 93 (2019), Vinous 92 (2018)
Tiny Gaiole estate of 13 hectares founded in 1971 by Englishman John Dunkley. Organic since 2014, vegan vinification, and now producing 100% Sangiovese under the La Gioia Toscana IGT flagship.
Tasting: Small-group estate tastings by reservation; vegan-vinified wines.
Signature wines: riecine-la-gioia, riecine-chianti-classico-riserva, riecine-chianti-classico
Scores: Wine Advocate 96 (2018), Vinous 95 (2019)
Francois family estate in Greve in Chianti dating to 1897, set around a medieval castle. Il Picchio Gran Selezione anchors a Sangiovese-led range alongside Super Tuscan IGT bottlings.
Tasting: Cellar tours and tasting flights from the medieval castle property; on-site agriturismo accommodation.
Signature wines: castello-di-querceto-il-picchio, castello-di-querceto-la-corte, castello-di-querceto-chianti-classico-riserva
Scores: Wine Advocate 93 (2019), Vinous 92 (2018)
The founding estate of Brunello di Montalcino; Ferruccio Biondi Santi bottled the first 1888 vintage. Now owned by EPI Group with the historic Greppo Sangiovese Grosso vines as the core.
Tasting: Cellar tours of the historic Greppo property by appointment; rare vintages tasting on request.
Signature wines: biondi-santi-brunello-di-montalcino, biondi-santi-brunello-di-montalcino-riserva, biondi-santi-rosso-di-montalcino
Scores: Wine Advocate 97 (2016), Vinous 97 (2016)
Cult Montalcino estate founded 1972 by Gianfranco Soldera. Withdrew from Brunello DOCG in 2013 after a cellar sabotage incident; bottles continue as Toscana IGT from the original Intistieti and Case Basse vineyards.
Tasting: Not currently open to the public; allocation-only sales via mailing list.
Signature wines: soldera-case-basse-toscana-igt, soldera-case-basse-intistieti-vineyard
Family estate founded 1971, with the single-vineyard Cerretalto and the Tenuta Nuova selection driving the reputation. Wine Spectator named the 2001 Tenuta Nuova its 2006 Wine of the Year.
Tasting: Cellar visits, vineyard walks and vertical tastings of Tenuta Nuova and Cerretalto by appointment.
Signature wines: casanova-di-neri-cerretalto, casanova-di-neri-tenuta-nuova, casanova-di-neri-brunello-di-montalcino, casanova-di-neri-pietradonice
Scores: Wine Spectator 97 (2001), Wine Advocate 98 (2016)
Single largest Brunello estate at 850 hectares of vineyards inside Montalcino. Mariani family-owned since 1978 and home to the Castello di Poggio alle Mura medieval fortress and Relais hotel.
Tasting: Castello Banfi houses a Relais & Chateaux hotel, restaurants, an enoteca and the Banfi glass-and-wine museum; cellar tours and tasting flights run daily.
Signature wines: banfi-poggio-alle-mura-brunello, banfi-brunello-di-montalcino, banfi-summus, banfi-poggio-all-oro-riserva
Scores: Wine Advocate 96 (2016), Vinous 94 (2016)
