Organic Brunello. Singular Terroir. Timeless Elegance.
Our Winery Spotlight on Wednesday, July 22 celebrates one of WTSO’s most beloved Brunello producers: San Polino.
Nestled among the rolling hills of Montalcino, this small, family-run estate has earned an international reputation for producing organically farmed, terroir-driven Brunello di Montalcino with remarkable purity, finesse, and aging potential. Every bottle reflects a deep respect for the land, traditional winemaking, and the unique character of Sangiovese Grosso.
Featured in this six-bottle seelction are exceptional expressions from acclaimed vintages, including the estate Brunello di Montalcino (2017, 2018, 2019) and he coveted single-vineyard Helichrysum Brunello (2018, 2019, and 2020). Together, they offer a rare opportunity to compare how vineyard site, vintage conditions, and careful cellaring shape one of Tuscany’s most celebrated wines in two distinct vertical tastings.
Whether you’re building your collection or discovering Brunello for the first time, this Winery Spotlight showcases everything that makes San Polino a perennial WTSO favorite: meticulous organic farming, low-intervention winemaking, outstanding critical acclaim, and extraordinary value with savings of up to 63% OFF. Save an additional $10 for every six bottles purchased!
Read on to discover the history, philosophy, vineyards, and remarkable wines behind one of Montalcino’s most respected estates.
San Polino: Producer Profile
San Polino is one of Montalcino’s pioneering organic wineries, producing just four Sangiovese Grosso bottlings that showcase the elegance, longevity, and terroir of Brunello di Montalcino. A longtime WTSO favorite, this revived centuries-old Tuscan estate combines organic farming with biodynamic principles to craft wines of exceptional purity and character. If you’re already enamored with Italian red wines or looking to expand your palate, San Polino offers an ideal introduction to one of Tuscany’s most respected producers.
Why is San Polino different?
San Polino stands apart for its unwavering commitment to organic farming, biodynamic vineyard practices, and small-production Brunello di Montalcino crafted exclusively from Sangiovese Grosso. While Sangiovese Grosso is a clone of Sangiovese, it is prized in Montalcino for producing wines with greater structure, concentration, and aging potential. By producing only four wines and allowing each vineyard site to speak for itself, San Polino has become one of Tuscany’s benchmark estates for elegant, terroir-driven Brunello.
Their Story
Evidence suggests that the San Polino farmstead could have origins dating back to the 10th century – a likely time for the first vine plantings there. By 1581, the Montalcino hospital, Santa Maria della Croce, logged an official record of land under their ownership, including the vineyard and olive trees of San Polino. Eventually, the noble Piccolomini family purchased the property in the 18th century. Then in 1990, husband and wife Luigi Fabbro and Katia Nussbaum bought the estate with the primary goal of establishing a self-sustained winery and olive oil business. After acquiring permission to cultivate vineyards for Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino, they achieved organic certification in 1994, becoming pioneers in Montalcino. By embracing a holistic approach to viticulture, they aim to “respect, encourage, and restore our biodiversity in the vineyard,” leading to impressively pure and elegant wines with a clear sense of place.
Philosophy and Terroir
“At San Polino, we believe that all life on this planet is linked by a single thread, forming a myriad of wondrous interconnections which encompass all of us.” – Azienda Agraria San Polino
This perspective considers and values the relationships between all the workers, animals, plants, insects, importers, and consumers of San Polino’s wines. Furthermore, they believe that a wine’s overall “balance, harmony, structure, and elegance” reflects the “balance, richness, and harmony” found within the various complex ecosystems involved during production. Their vineyards remain free of pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. Luigi and Katia also draw on extensive experience for scholarly writings and promote new research at their estate by experts in geology, botany, entomology, ornithology, and yeast.
Varied proportions of limey shale, clay, sandy loam, mineral rocks appear throughout the vineyards, planted at an altitude between 300 and 450 meters to just 8 hectares of Sangiovese. The team also maintains that “each soil type and altitude tells its story in the characteristics and personality of the grapes and wine.”
The Wines
Rosso di Montalcino
The Rosso di Montalcino sees a spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeast in a combination of stainless steel and tronconic oak vats. Aging occurs for a minimum of one year, with at least six months in oak before bottling. This release provides a more youthful taste of the estate’s Sangiovese and a preview of the grape quality from each growing season while the Brunello wines undergo a more extended maturation period. Expect a floral, fruit-driven red complemented by subtle spice and mineral notes, as well as the structure for versatile pairings.
Brunello di Montalcino
A sloping, well-exposed field on loamy clay and marl in northern Montalcino serves as the source for San Polino’s classic Brunello bottling.
Following a spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeast in traditional tronconic oak vats, the wine matures in large Slavonian oak barrels for approximately three and a half years, resulting in a full-bodied, beautifully structured expression of Sangiovese Grosso that balances power with remarkable elegance.
San Polino’s Brunello has earned consistent acclaim across multiple vintages for its purity, longevity, and unmistakable sense of place. While the legendary 2010 vintage received 99 Pts. from James Suckling, the bottles featured in July 22nd’s Winery Spotlight continue that tradition with the 94 Pt. 2017, 97 Pt. 2018, and 92 Pt. 2019 Brunello di Montalcino. Together, these releases illustrate how vintage variation shapes aroma, structure, and aging potential while preserving the estate’s signature style.
Beautifully expressive in their youth yet built for extended cellaring, these Brunellos reward both immediate enjoyment and patient aging, making them standout examples of one of Tuscany’s most revered appellations.
Brunello di Montalcino “Helichrysum”
Their low-production bottling takes its name from a fragrant flowering plant and features Sangiovese Grosso from San Polino’s highest-elevation, south-facing vineyard. Following spontaneous fermentation, the wine spends six months on its lees in French barriques before aging for three more years in large Slavonian oak barrels. A perfect blend of richness and elegance defines “Helichrysum,” which has consistently earned critical acclaim – from James Suckling’s perfect 100 Pt. score for the 2010 vintage to the 97 Pt. 2018, 2019, and 2020 releases featured in our Winery Spotlight. Its seamless structure and remarkable balance promise years of graceful evolution in the cellar.
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
San Polino only produces their Brunello di Montalcino Riserva in the absolute best years. A 50-day post-fermentation maceration precedes six months of aging in French barrique and another four years in Slavonian oak barrels. Once finished, these unparalleled wines represent the most profound and powerful expression of the estate’s gorgeous fruit, along with the endurance to revisit bottles throughout their slow and graceful development. Simply put, this rare release offers a transcendent experience through Sangiovese. [2012 available here]
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Polino organic?
Yes. San Polino became certified organic in 1994 and continues to farm according to organic and biodynamic principles.
What is “Helichrysum”?
Helichrysum is San Polino‘s flagship single-vineyard Brunello named after the flowering plant that grows throughout the estate.
What’s the difference between Brunello and “Helichrysum”?
Both are 100% Sangiovese Grosso. Helichrysum comes from the estate’s highest-elevation south-facing vineyard and receives a unique aging regimen emphasizing elegance and site expression.
How long can San Polino Brunello age?
Depending on the vintage, San Polino Brunello can continue developing beautifully for well over a decade under proper cellar conditions.
Join us at WTSO.com on July 22 for our Winery Spotlight on San Polino! Which vertical wine tasting will you be starting with? Comment below!
Looks good
It really is! San Polino produces some beautiful Brunello, and we’re excited to feature them this week. We hope you get the chance to grab a few bottles! Cheers!
Now I know the yellow flower my wife and I saw in Tuscany last month!
Helichrysum is such a beautiful connection to San Polino and now to your trip to Tuscany, too. What a special memory for you and your wife!
How much do they cost? Am I missing something?
We are so sorry, the blog kept the prices under wraps, but the sale is live now and all pricing is there! If you need any help, our Customer Service team is always happy to assist. Cheers!
this is infurating.
where do i find prices and other info
Sorry for the frustration! Our blog is meant to share background on the winery and featured wines, while all pricing and offer details are included in our marketing emails and on our site. If you have any trouble finding what you need, please reach out to our Customer Service team anytime, we’ll be happy to help.
Cheers!