Sangiovese Archives - Enoteca Nederland

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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Vitae 2025: awards for Podere il Castellaccio

Stefania del Giudice — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:29:38 +0000

Vtae 2025: awards for Podere Il Castellaccio: Associazione Italiana Sommelier awarded the Rosso Toscana Valente 2020 with 4 Viti.

Rosso Toscana Valente 2020 IGT

Grapes: 70% Sangiovese 30% mix of foglia tonda & pugnitello.
Training System: Spurred cordon.
Harvest: Late September/early October.
Vinification: Fermented and macerated in oak barrels at controlled temperature.
Ageing: 12 months in 20 hl barrels and 12 months in the bottle.

TASTING NOTES:
Dark, luminous ruby red colour predominant aromas include refined spices, sour cherry and blackcurrants, balsamic notes, vanilla and resinated aromas of mediterranean pine; a highly classical expression of a native tuscan wine.
On the palate the tannin is dense and elegant, and heading towards a soft, velvety feel. to bring out the best in the wine, match with local products, such as cheeses, cured meats, pasta with meat sauce or grilled meats.

The passion of one man marks the beginning of the history of Podere Il Castellaccio. In the 1960s, Luigi Corradini, the maternal grandfather of current owner Alessandro Scappini, found an estate of 18 hectares on the hills of Castagneto Carducci. The area is Bolgheri, a place that was not yet world famous and had nothing to recommend it other than the essence of the land and the potential it had to produce great wine.
To plant his first vineyards Luigi was only able to use grapes that were native to the Chianti and Scansano area. Thus were Pugnitello, Foglia Tonda, Sangiovese planted – just a few hectares, native wine varieties and a small wine cellar. Over the years, the management of the estate gradually transitioned into the hands of his son Roberto.

However, it was only in 2009 that the winery Podere Il Castellaccio was founded by Alessandro Scappini, the third generation in charge of the estate.
Alessandro Scappini, born and raised in Bolgheri, decided indeed to work with a 60 years old family vineyard planted with ancient varieties.

In the meantime he also starts growing the signature grapes of the DOC and makes his debut on the market with its first Bolgheri wine with the vintage 2015.

His path inside the DOC is completed in the vintage 2018 when his Bolgheri Superiore Il Castellaccio is born and it was released for the first time on the market at the begin of 2021.

Podere Il Castellaccio is situated in Castagneto Carducci, across the seaward side of Segalari Hills, at an altitude of 194 meters a.s.l.

Due to its geographic position, the vineyards enjoy a Mediterranean climate, with more solar radiations, a better thermal excursion and a higher ventilation.

Not only Bolgheri

“A sip from the past, while looking to the future” is the catchphrase used by this highly-manicured Bolgheri winery.

The family passion and the expertise added by the winemaker Attilio Pagli have the aim to tell the story of the region through the salvaging of ancient varieties that are inextricably linked to the tradition of Tuscan wine, specifically in the area of Bolgheri.

The older vineyards, occupying more than 2 hectares, are planted with Tuscan natives Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Foglia Tonda and Pugnitello.

6 labels:

More info?
Take a look at the website and follow the producer on the socials

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Cantina Patrizia Cencioni: Solarianne

Petra Pelle — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 10:25:43 +0000

Cantina Patrizia Cencioni: Solarianne

Company:

The Patrizia Cencioni Agricultural Company is family-run, managed by the owner Patrizia and her two daughters Annalisa and Arianna.

Wines:

Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Rosso di Montalcino, Rosato made from 100% Sangiovese and the exclusive wine Solarianne are the flagship productions.

Vineyards:

The vineyards date back to 1989, the year in which the company was born, which draws its origins from an ancient company in Montalcino created in the 1950s by grandfather Giuseppe Cencioni, who was one of the founders of the Brunello di Montalcino Consortium.

The story behind the label:

The label of the ‘Il Solarianne’ is a special art label, the bottle is already since the first release ‘dressed in art.’ Alessandro Grazi Opere from Sienna has designed the label for the 2020 vintage, the work is called “il clima-serio” and it is a work about the serious and worrying climate situation that is experiencing our planet right now.

Alessandro Grazi with the artwork Il Clima Serio

Solarianne 2020 with the special art label

Some data about the wine:

Grapes: 50% Sangiovese – 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vinification: in steel
Staying on small lees: 36 months in 2.5 oak barrels (French oak)
Alcohol content: 14% Vol.

Serving temperature: 18 °C
Colour: clear, deep ruby red with violet reflections.
Bouquet: floral and fruity, particularly in evidence the scent of black cherry and fresh violet.
Taste: it is a structured wine, intense and with good persistence. It is elegant and fine, well balanced between softness and tannicity.
Matching: it perfectly fits to red and white meats, cheeses and cold cuts.
Total amount of bottles produced: 4.000

Visit and tasting:

For a visit to Cantina Patrizia Cencioni and a tasting of the Solarianne and other wines, you can book a guided tour including an accompanied visit to the vineyards and cellar, followed by Sundial or Timeless tasting. The Azienda Agricola Patrizia Cencioni is pleased to welcome you and introduce you to the secrets and traditions of the Montalcino territory and its wines.

For bookings and more information, take a look at the website from Cantina Patrizia Cencioni:

For more information about Alessandro Grazi Opere and his artworks take a look at his website:

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