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.
Signature wines: riecine-la-gioia, riecine-chianti-classico-riserva, riecine-chianti-classico
Scores: Wine Advocate 96 (2018), Vinous 95 (2019)
Address: Localita Riecine, 53013 Gaiole in Chianti, Siena, Italy, Tuscany
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)
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)
Founded 1970 in the cooler northern Montalcino. The Vigna La Casa single-vineyard Brunello has been bottled since 1977; estate has been organic since 2014.
Tasting: Cellar visits and tastings by reservation; the Vigna La Casa cru is the historical flagship.
Signature wines: caparzo-la-casa-brunello, caparzo-brunello-di-montalcino, caparzo-le-grance
Scores: Wine Advocate 95 (2016), Vinous 93 (2016)
