San Gimignano is a hilly wine-growing area in the province of Siena, situated entirely within the municipality of the same name, where vines have been a feature of the Tuscan hillside landscape for centuries. The temperate sub-Mediterranean climate, aided by good ventilation and rainfall concentrated mainly in autumn and spring, promotes balanced ripening and a rich aromatic expression in the grapes.
The vineyards are situated on soils of Pliocene origin, consisting of yellow sands, tuffs, sandy clays and marls, often stratified over more compact substrates. The sandy component ensures good drainage, whilst the presence of limestone and marine deposits contributes to the wines’ distinctive savoury character.
The flagship grape variety is Vernaccia di San Gimignano, the basis of the DOCG of the same name in its vintage and Riserva versions: it produces refined, structured and long-lived white wines, characterised by freshness, elegance and persistence. Alongside Vernaccia, the San Gimignano DOC designation showcases Sangiovese, including as a single-varietal wine, alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir, used for reds, rosés and Riserva wines. The local tradition is rounded off by Vin Santo and Occhio di Pernice, made from dried grapes and aged in small wooden vessels.