Biondi Santi

In 1888, Ferruccio Biondi Santi revolutionized Tuscan winemaking with his creation of Brunello di Montalcino. Inspired by the Barolo wines of the time, Ferruccio’s innovative approach was groundbreaking in Tuscany, where single-varietal wines were virtually unknown. His family’s winery, Il Greppo, established by his grandfather Clemente Biondi Santi in 1840, had long been celebrated for its exceptional wines, even older vintages being prized gems in Italian viticulture. Ferruccio’s Brunello di Montalcino, with its distinctive elegance and restrained acidity, set a new standard for quality and aging potential.

The Biondi Santi family chose not to trademark the Brunello di Montalcino name, preferring to share their knowledge and encourage other producers. This open-handed approach helped spread the fame of their creation. Ferruccio’s son Tancredi, born in 1893, understood the importance of marketing and played a crucial role in popularizing Biondi-Santi wines internationally. He engaged his friend Vittorio Zani to design the now-iconic label, a design that has remained largely unchanged since 1945.

Tancredi’s efforts elevated the winery’s profile, but it was his son Franco who truly showcased the estate's potential. Franco’s extensive travels and promotion of their old Riservas helped cement the winery’s reputation. In 1966, when Brunello di Montalcino was officially recognized as a DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin), the Italian government sought Tancredi’s expertise in crafting the regulations. The winery's prestige soared in 1980 when Brunello di Montalcino became the first DOCG (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin) in Italy.

Franco expanded Il Greppo from 4 acres to 25, yet he remained committed to traditional winemaking methods. He favored Slavonian oak barrels for their minimal influence on the wine’s flavor, using them solely to enhance tertiary characteristics through oxygen exposure. Franco’s goal was to create wines with such remarkable aging potential that they would never be considered “old” in his lifetime.

Franco passed away in 2013 at the age of 91. His son Jacopo, who succeeded him, continued the family tradition until 2017. Despite facing challenges such as the rise of new interpretations of Brunello and fungal infestations in the 1990s, as well as internal disagreements over modernizing the estate’s style, the winery persevered. The Biondi Santi family’s dedication to traditional Brunello production remains steadfast.

Today, the estate benefits from Ferruccio’s legacy of meticulous clonal selection, using only Sangiovese Grosso di Montalcino saplings. The winery’s cellars are equipped with a mix of old, large barrels and modern containers, reflecting a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. Jacopo’s stewardship ensured that the passion and commitment to exceptional Brunello endures, continuing the rich heritage of Tenuta Il Greppo.