San Filippo
San Filippo
The San Filippo wine estate lies in the heart of one of the most beautiful parts of the Tuscan countryside, just two kilometres from Montalcino. The estate is, in fact, a small village in its own right. The main farmhouse, which also includes a small chapel that is still consecrated today, dates back to 1672, as evidenced by various documents preserved in the parish archives of Montalcino.
Brunello has been produced at San Filippo since 1972, with the first bottle of Brunello di Montalcino San Filippo released in 1977. As such, San Filippo was among the original group of only twenty producers who began bottling their own Brunello in the late 1970s. The estate is located in the northern part of Montalcino and overlooks the famous Il Greppo vineyard of Biondi Santi, an iconic site of both historical and symbolic significance.
Since 1990, San Filippo has been owned by Roberto Giannelli. Under his leadership, the winery, cellars and tasting rooms have been fully restored and modernised, always with great respect for traditional Tuscan architecture. At the same time, the estate has been equipped with contemporary comforts and modern technology. The result is a warm and welcoming place where visitors can experience the charm and simplicity of authentic Tuscan life.
The modern, functional cellars cover more than 1,000 square metres and include a vinification area, ageing rooms and a dedicated section for bottling, packaging and storage. The ageing cellar itself is located beneath the old farmhouse, where history and wine come together seamlessly.
Production is deliberately kept small. Each year, San Filippo produces only 2,500 cases of Brunello di Montalcino and 800 cases of Rosso di Montalcino. The estate produces three tiers of Brunello, including the single-vineyard Le Lucére and a Riserva, made exclusively in exceptional vintages.
The vineyards planted with Sangiovese Grosso cover 11 hectares, exactly half of the estate’s total 22 hectares. The four estate vineyards: La Storta, Le Raffiche, Le Lucére and La Smarrita, are located near Cerbaiona and all benefit from excellent exposure. The relatively cool temperatures and significant day–night temperature variations make this terroir particularly well suited to controlling and refining the natural vigour of the Sangiovese vines.
Oenologist Paolo Caciorgna allows the grapes extended ripening and crafts wines that perfectly balance power and elegance. The result is a range of wines regarded among the world’s finest. Notably, Le Lucére 2010 received the coveted 100 points from James Suckling. Decanter and Robert Parker also award the wines high scores year after year, and with good reason.
The wines of San Filippo are defined by balance, length, complexity and intensity. Wines that continue to evolve in the glass and surprise with every sip.
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