Sanforte: An Indigenous Tuscan Grape Reborn

Petra Pelle — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 07:08:06 +0000

The tornado in 2002: the moment that changed everything:

Today, 24 years after the tornado of 6 August 2002, we look back at a moment that reshaped the future of the Val di Sieve. What began as a day of devastation became the unlikely beginning of one of Tuscany’s most remarkable grape rediscoveries: Sanforte, the native variety now grown organically at Borgo Prunatelli under the care of the Grati family.

Sanforte: the rediscovered indigenous Tuscan grape that survived the 2002 storm

6 August 2002: The Storm That Revealed a Secret

On a hot summer afternoon, a rare and violent tornado ripped through the hills of the Val di Sieve and Rufina. As a result, terraces collapsed, vines snapped, and the landscape transformed within hours.

A Discovery Hidden in the Ruins: Amid the destruction, something remarkable emerged. Two days later, during an inspection of the damaged vineyards near Prunatelli, a single vine immediately drew attention. Moreover, it looked vigorous, ancient, and completely different from the surrounding varieties. Its thick trunk and deep‑rooted strength therefore suggested centuries of survival, hinting at a story that was only beginning to unfold.

The Start of an Unexpected Journey: That single vine didn’t just survive the storm. No, it sparked a discovery that no one saw coming. What began as a routine damage assessment turned into the beginning of a story that would reshape the local wine history.

Historical identification and genetic analysis

Together with the University of Florence and ampelographer Roberto Bandinelli, the vine was analysed and identified as Sangiovese Forte. This was a historical name once used for a darker, more powerful Tuscan grape.

To honour this heritage, the revived variety was named Sanforte.

Sanforte:

‘San’ as a tribute to Sangiovese
‘Forte’ for its strength, resilience, and intense character

But the story didn’t end there. Modern genetic studies later revealed something that was even more surprising: Sanforte is not related to Sangiovese at all, but a completely distinct native variety that had its own lineage and identity.

Official Recognition: in 2007, it was officially registered in the National Register of Grape Varieties under the name Sanforte.

From a Single Vine to a Living Heritage

It began as a field observation but evolved into more than a decade of research.

In total, 16 original Sanforte vines were found across the Val di Sieve. A proof of the grape’s deep historical roots in this territory.

A first micro‑vinification in 2002 produced a tiny but astonishingly expressive wine by using grapes from just five vines. Even in one of the most challenging years that the region had ever faced, Sanforte showed its unmistakable character.

The Grati Family: Guardians of Prunatelli

Rebirth:

The rebirth of Sanforte is inseparable from the Grati family, custodians of Borgo Prunatelli and long‑standing figures in the Rufina and Val di Sieve wine landscape.

Patience and vision:

Their philosophy — rooted in biodiversity, heritage, and respect for the land — made them the natural stewards of this rediscovered grape. They nurtured Sanforte with patience and vision, from a handful of ancient vines into a living and thriving part of the estate.

Organic:

Today, Sanforte is grown organically at Borgo Prunatelli and vinified only in select years. It reflects both the rarity of the grape and the family’s commitment to authenticity.

Sanforte today: organic, rare and authentic:

A legacy born after the storm: twenty‑four years later

Sanforte: 24 years after the tornado, we celebrate not only a wine, but a legacy.

A grape revealed by chance. A family who believed in its potential. A territory that continues to tell its stories through the vines that grow on its hills.

Sanforte is the fairytale of Borgo Prunatelli — and its next chapter begins now.

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