Vineyards Magazine

“For Biondi-Santi, generations are fundamental”, says Giampiero Bertolini, CEO of the estate since 2018. “From the founder Clemente, to whom we owe the name Brunello, to Ferruccio Biondi-Santi, who, at the end of the 19^th century, began producing wine with a pioneering vision of quality and longevity. From Tancredi, to whom we owe the legendary Riserva 1955 and the preservation of the estate’s historic cellar vault, to Dr Franco, the “gentleman of Brunello”, who introduced innovative winemaking techniques and carried out one of the earliest clonal selections of Sangiovese, naming the clone BBS11: Brunello Biondi-Santi 11. These generations have built and handed down enduring values that today allow us to look to the future with confidence, firmly rooted in our history”.

This progression and this consistency are reflected in the character of Biondi-Santi wines: in their freshness, in the iconic vineyards and in the distinctive practices that define daily work in the vineyard and in the cellar at Il Greppo. It is a transmission of knowledge and sensitivity that flows through time, renewing and strengthening itself with each passing generation.

“This is why we chose the word ‘Generations’ for the fifth edition of La Voce di Biondi-Santi,” continues Giampiero Bertolini. “And it is why we feel a responsibility to pass our passion to younger generations.”

In 2026, the estate’s cultural project draws on the talents of the Holden School of Writing in Turin, whose students were invited to interpret the emotion of Tenuta Greppo through the language of literature and the medium of voice. A gesture of contemporary patronage that has given life to five stories in the estate’s “virtual literary salon”, now available through the La Voce di Biondi-Santi podcast.

THE NEW VINTAGES

For Federico Radi, Technical Director of the estate, the word ‘Generations’ also evokes a concept deeply rooted in nature: “It suggests renewal and serves as a bridge across differences, because every generation, like every vintage, is unique”, he explains.

“What remains central at Biondi-Santi is stylistic and qualitative continuity: we aim to infuse into the wine the story of the vintage together with that of the estate. The ongoing massal selection allows us to preserve the DNA of Biondi-Santi, preserving the genetic heritage from which it all began”.  

• Rosso di Montalcino is the gateway to the world of Biondi-Santi. A youthful Sangiovese, of great charm, conveys the full emotion of the estate. The 2023 growing year presented significant agronomic challenges, marked by notable temperature fluctuations and irregular rainfall. Nevertheless, it has given rise to an authentic and refined Rosso, expressing Sangiovese di Montalcino with immediacy and style, without sacrificing depth and identity.

• Brunello di Montalcino 2020 is an impressive classic, revealing its finesse from the very first sip. It comes from a bright, sunny growing season with grapes of exceptional quality.

The year began with a mild winter and a cool spring, characterised by significant diurnal temperature variations and even a snowfall. After a rainy June, which ensured good groundwater reserves, the summer was hot and dry. Consistent day-night ranges supported the vines’ natural balance and contributed to the development of an intense, well-defined aromatic profile. Refreshing rainfall at the end of August led to perfect ripening in time for the harvest, which began on 9 September.

“On the palate, one perceives the elegance of the tannins and acidity: two elements that merge seamlessly, allowing the wine to unfold gracefully and linger. It is a contemplative wine” concludes Federico Radi “one that reveals itself over time.”

• Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2019, the 44° edition, is a profound wine born under the sign of great expectations. Not only because it is a Biondi-Santi Riserva, but also – as the Technical Director emphasises – “because it is the result of one of the finest growing years I have witnessed in my career: everything went exceptionally well. Well-distributed rainfall, balanced heat, perfect grapes. The wine embodies this harmony.” The harvest began on 14 September.

On the palate, the Riserva 2019 is precise and vibrant. Lively freshness accompanies very fine, perfectly integrated tannins. The structure is refined, never excessive, and the finish, long, pure and coherent, speaks of territory and time.

THE RELEASE OF ‘LA STORICA’ 1983

Every year, Biondi-Santi selects a Riserva from La Storica and releases it in extremely limited quantities. Brunello di Montalcino Riserva La Storica 1983 is a wine of extraordinary complexity, with silky tannins leading into a long, savoury and harmonious finish of great elegance and length. It demonstrates Biondi-Santi’s unique ability to age gracefully, offering today a profound, understated and authentic expression of what a historic Brunello represents.

LA VOCE DI BIONDI SANTI

La Voce di Biondi-Santi was first launched in 2022 as a cultural project that, each year, revolves around a keyword interpreting and narrating the Biondi-Santi universe. The chosen word becomes the guiding thread of a dialogue that takes wine lovers behind the scenes, through the voices of Giampiero Bertolini and Federico Radi.

Within the same virtual space, enthusiasts can also discover contributions from key opinion leaders in the sector. In addition, each year the keyword inspires original literary works by Italian and international authors, presented in audiobook format.

The words chosen in previous editions were: Balance (2022), Wonder (2023), Respect (2024) and Elegance (2025).

For 2026, the word is Generations, and the literary partner is the Holden School in Turin. Five students were invited to the estate to experience Tenuta Greppo and create five original and evocative stories.

All La Voce di Biondi-Santi content is available at biondisanti.it and collected in a dedicated WebApp, accessible via the special QR codes on the neck labels of the Brunello di Montalcino and Brunello di Montalcino Riserva bottles.