Family Passion

The first vines were planted with a density of about 4000 per hectare (1619 vines per acre) in the estate’s namesake vineyard, an historic plot on the property. This type of cultivation was considered optimal at the time and was also selected due to the implementation of the spurred cordon training system.

Vineyards with a plant density of 7000 vines per hectare (2834 vines per acre) are given a different geometry. This choice is motivated by the desire to improve quality, not to achieve a quantitatively higher production. Vines face a higher level of competition at this density.
When planted more closely, vines grow with less vigour, develop less leaves, and fewer, but very concentrated, grape bunches. The vines are densely planted and each plant has a smaller volume of soil at its disposal to explore. The roots must descend deeper in search of nutrients and water, therefore the vines are less susceptible to weather variations since they are no longer solely dependent on rain.

San Polo began as a forward-thinking and environmentally-friendly company. The cellar, built according to the principles of modern sustainable architecture, is a refined expression of this entrepreneurial philosophy. Designed to process grapes arriving from vineyards managed by the principles of sustainable viticulture, it is internationally recognized as one of the most advanced wine cellars capable of conveying the company's commitment to sustainability. Completely underground, it is equipped with natural cooling systems that take advantage of wind, like the vents placed at the top of the cellar, and the laws of physics with the circulation of air in the aging cellar.

As current owner of the estate, along with her daughters Carlotta and Caterina, Marilisa Allegrini was moved by the determination and foresight that have always distinguished her, and she remained focused on one of the oldest denominations in Italy. And so Montalcino has become the setting for both a great entrepreneurial project and the true realization of a dream. This territory, with a unique microclimate and a long history of viticulture, is historically innovative. It is here where, over the years, a virtuous path began to mould San Polo into much more than a winery dedicated to quality, but rather somewhere where human industriousness connects with the grandeur of nature.

Respect for the territory, for the landscape that surrounds us, and also for the people. The winery received the CasaClima Wine certification by passing the protocol verification, based on strict criteria relating to reducing resources and limiting environmental impact. Our winery is the first in Tuscany and second in the world to have achieved this sustainability certificate following the evaluation of numerous aspects including waste management, the use of efficient electrical machinery, the use of local and recycled products, sustainable mobility and logistics, monitoring of resource consumption, measures to increase the quality of life, and functional production processes.

We decided to follow organic protocol after a long period of research and experimentation in order to solidify our commitment to the environment. A choice was also made based on San Polo’s potential: an indisputable calling for excellence in our vineyards renders important qualitative results possible with minimal human intervention. This, in turn, allows us to claim that our wines are "direct descendents of their magical terroir". Our vineyards enjoy the perfect microclimate for organic management, they are located at the top of a hill which is void of obstacles, and lacks morning humidity and dewey leaves.

The "parcelling" process of the vineyards starts with carefully subdividing the land into small plots with their own particular characteristics. Soil and climate variations allow us to identify different techniques of working the soil in order to make the most of the potential of every single part of the vineyard.
In qualitative terms, the results were immediately noticed in the harvesting and winemaking phases, as well as directly in the bottle. Marilisa Allegrini, together with the oenologist Riccardo Fratton, therefore decided to produce wines from single vineyards, a testament to the expression of each individual parcel’s distinct characteristics.

Marilisa Allegrini’s approach to viticulture has always been one without chemicals, having already started on an eco-sustainable path in 2007. However, it was first necessary to have a thorough knowledge of our territory in order to understand if the position and characteristics of our vineyards could really allow us to follow organic protocol. Our research has always been focused on developing the best practices, both in the vineyard and in the cellar, so that the potential of each vineyard parcel is maximised based on its individual characteristics. From the study of soils and their draining efficiency, to analyzing sun exposure, ventilation, and characteristics of the vines in each row, we were able to create our own protocol, which is continuously evolving and naturally sustains the vines. These practices, combined with optimal soil and climate conditions for growing Sangiovese, have allowed us to utilise organic viticulture methods in our vineyards since 2014 and paved the way for the total elimination of chemical use. The wellbeing of our vineyards is central to everything we do. Our rows of grapevines are tended to with the utmost attention, and our natural agronomic practices encourage the development of the plant’s self-defense capabilities in order to protect the health of our vines and safeguard the land.

Situated on the southeast side of the hill of Montalcino, at 450 metres (1476 ft) above sea level, the estate’s 22 hectares (54 acres), 16 (40) of which are dedicated to vines, are characterized by a breezy and dry microclimate with strong seasonal and day-night temperature variations. The cellar, a fine example of ecologically sustainable architecture, was designed to minimize energy consumption and environmental impact. Here, the grapes are processed with craftsman-like care to enhance the finesse of the aromas of Sangiovese. The essence of San Polo, in fact, is to trace the wines back to the vineyard where the grapes grew, in order to fully express the concept of terroir. Human intervention is aimed at bringing wine closer to nature, adopting a viticulture that respects the soil, the microclimate, and the biodiversity of the area, so that the biological cycle of the vineyard, the soil, and climate are in perfect harmony. These concepts are expressed in an exemplary way by our two crus Podernovi and Vignavecchia: two vineyards close in proximity but very different in terms of exposure, slope, and soil characteristics.