This is where it all began…read more In 1888, a pharmacist/chemist decided to try and make a perfect wine. After experimenting with multiple varieties of Sangiovese, he arrived at a cloned vine he considered perfect - BBS 11 (Brunello Biondi Santi 11). This chemist tore up all his existing vines and replaced them all with BBS 11 vines. His name was Ferruccio Biondi Santi. It was almost 100 years later when the DOCG rules were applied to Brunello Di Montalcino but they were a formality in a way to this existing wine region. Biondi Santi is the oldest and most well respected of the Brunello Producers in Montalcino. The reason? The produce only about 5000 bottles each year. All of their vines are on the property. The process is entirely by hand with virtually no modern day technology involved. Aged oak barrels and cement containers are used to store and ferment the wine. The winery has barrels containing wines that are over 100 years old that they use to top up other aged bottles of their own wine. Visiting Biondi Santi is a true lesson in the history of a varietal of wine. If you can, go here and then stop in Montalcino for lunch on your way to another winery. After you buy a case of wine, of course.

We really enjoyed out tour of the winery and lunch with a wine pairing…read more The facility is very modern and is a great example of what makes modern Tuscan wine so popular. The guide was very knowledgeable and was able to answer questions about the wine making process as well as the varietals used including the making of Vin Santo. The family started making and growing olive oil so our lunch included a tasting of their olive oils. Well worth the visit. Reservations required.

After my previous review, I stopped dealing with the shipping company and contacted the winery…read moredirectly. I was pleasantly surprised at their quick response. They resolved my situation quickly. The wine was well worth the wait. The best in the region in my opinion. I was frustrated, but it was all worth it. Thanks to them for taking care of business! I will go back

I had a fantastic time at the Altesino winery in Montalcino. The view were gorgeous, our tour guide…read more(Ilaria) was friendly and knowledgeable, and I enjoyed the different wine tastings. I visited Italy via a group called AHI travel. They coordinated the visit with about 20 participants. The tour began with a viewing of the wine cellar, wine barrels, bottling room and ended in the tasting room, a nice lodge-like area. We were able to taste 3 wines, including their famous Brunello and my favorite, the Alte d'Altesi, and indulge in a beautiful spread of bruschetta, prosciutto, pecorina cheese and olive oil. Their olive oil was also made on the property and available for sale. I ended up purchasing a bottle of wine and small container of olive oil so I could continue to enjoy my experience when I returned to New York. Altesino's had great products and inviting hospitality. I would note, if you are visiting on your own the drive up the curvy hills could be intimidating!

We emailed to them and were told there were four types of wine tasting we could choose from. We…read morepicked the one with three types of wines at the price of 12.50 per person. When we arrived, our tour guide took us to their wine making room. She was very friendly and spoke fluent English. Unfortunately, it was a public holiday so there was nobody around the working area. Since the winery was quite small and there were only two of us, we finished the tour pretty quick. We then went on to our wine tasting areas. It was a spacious and cosy room but nothing fancy. We tried Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG & Super Tuscan IGT. We ended up buying the Brunello and Brunello Gold for 25 and 50 Euro each. She was kind enough to waive the tour and tasting fee for us.

Family run business. In the middle of many other wineries, and I came here with a tour group. The…read morefamily was very sweet and the wine here won a couple awards in the last few years. Not my favorite types of wine, but I appreciated their brunello. And not so much their rose! It was acidic

We are so happy that we stopped by. We enjoyed learning about the different Brunello wines. We…read moreended up buying six bottles to ship back home to the United States. Lovely views and amazing people who were very welcoming.

We had wonderful time on our honeymoon exploring different vineyards and tasting incredible wines…read morewith Alexandra. It was an unforgettable experience.

We had a private Brunello wine tasting with a sommelier and it was fantastic. They brought the…read morewines to our rented villa, we provided the food pairing. It was educational and fun. Alexandra and her knowledgable associates are highly recommended.

Anyone that visits Montalcino will find themselves in wine heaven. The area is full of big…read morewineries, many of he big names like Banfi, Biondi Santi, Fanti, etc. But netled between some of these giants is one truly special place. An organic, biodynamic microwinery... Piombaia. They still make their wine the old fashioned way. Hand-selected grapes, manual wine press, bottling, etc. With a production of only around 8,000 bottles a year, it is truly a small, family operation. And the wine? Oh, the wine! From their signature Brunello to their Gatto Nero, it is all absolutely fantastic. Whatever you do, call ahead. It is not the kind of place with a manned store. This is a home, so reservations are a very good idea here.

Wonderful experience tasting the regional vintage Brunello wines…read more The wine tasting included nicely prepared lasagna that paired well with the various wines. Our host was very pleasant and explained the history of this vineyard and what goes into developing world-class wine.

I did a lot of research on selecting vineyards that were unique and what I loved about this was…read morethat they are biodynamic, have a bonsai vineyard and have olive oil. The owner is also Francesco Illy if you are familiar with Illy coffee. Biodynamic: Uncontaminated soil and the wine processes happen in a 100% ecological wine cellar, built to have zero impact on the environment. Bonsai: It is the densest vineyard in the world meaning the vines are planted very close together which produce a very unique tasting wine. Tour & Tasting: We did a tour of the vineyard, pagoda, cellar and did the actual tasting inside the tasting room by the terrace. We went to about 9 wineries while in Tuscany and Podere le Ripi had one of the most memorable tours. We tasted: 2015 Toscana Rosso IGT 2014 Toscana Rosso IGT 2012 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva 2005 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 Bonsai with delicious Parmesan cheese, bread and olive oil. Our guide was very knowledgeable and made us feel right at home. We ended up buying 2 bottles plus a bottle of olive oil.

Outstanding location (highest vineyard elevation in Montalcino). Beautiful views of a dormant…read morevolcano from the tasting room where we were treated to a short video of the surrounding soils and the distinct differences that the various vineyards contribute to their wines. Excellent introduction to their wines, with a spectrum of wines. The person pouring the wines was very knowledgeable about the wines and grapes. He introduced us to a rosé produced from their brunello method that was outstanding and unique. We had 6 wines shipped home.

Our tour guide here (young guy) was absolutely amazing and knowledgeable. The facility was clean,…read moreamazing and the views were fantastic. If you end up purchasing wine in the end, your tour fee gets waived, which is nice. I had some nice wine there. The area this winery is in (Montalcino) is absolutely incredible. IMO the best part of the Tuscan countryside.

Beautiful vineyard with inside and outside seating. Staff was friendly. Make a reservation to…read moreensure a tasting. We stopped in for only a glass. Parking is at top of hill and you walk down 100 m to tasking room.

Extremely fun experience at this winery. While it's a newer winery in the area, the 4 wines were…read moreexcellent. I highly recommend trying the wine tasting with light food. The service was above and beyond - the most friendly experience in Tuscany area so far. If you are dealing with Giada, you won't be disappointed! The views from the winery are beautiful, and provide the perfect background for a fun winery experience. The prices are very reasonable as well. Highly recommend stopping g here if you're in the area!