Sammontana dates back to the 12th century and was once property of the acclaimed Medici family. Historically, the hamlet thrived from the production of grains, olive oil, wine and terracotta. Purchased in the 1860s by a Polish family, the winery is still today in their care after 4 generations. Wine has become the predominant business, thanks to 13 hectares of vineyards planted and maintained according to biodynamic farming. Throughout the winemaking process, experimentation is prevalent and while the approach rests largely on the laurels of the land, the current generation is inspired to create clean wines that avoid manipulation, chemicals, filtration, or clarification with a healthy dose of personality.

Gently sloping hillsides bordering the east side of the Arno river valley just 20km from Florence in Montelupo Fiorentino are host to Sammontana’s vineyards, planted between 70 and 150 meters above sea level. The soils here are alluvial, full of stones, gravel and pebbles which have historically posed as a nuisance to farmers but Sammontana feels they give character and personality to the wines.

The vineyards are maintained in harmony with the rhythms of the moon, using several techniques from biodynamic agriculture, like the spraying of manure horn and using silica on the leaves of the vine. Natural pesticides are only applied when necessary using sulfur and copper, and their use is always kept to a minimum. Vines are cordon in some cases and Guyot in others, and all pruning, tying of the vines, green harvesting in the Spring and harvesting is carried out by hand.

Work in the cellar is aimed at allowing the wines - beyond barrel and cask - to sustain the personality, peculiarities and characteristics of Sammontana’s terroir over time. Fermentation is natural using indigenous yeast starters, while punch downs and pump overs are used on red wines allowing the winemaker to avoid filtering or clarification of the wines in the end. After fermentation, each of the wines undergoes a different aging process, but a distinct continuity can be found throughout the entire lineup: Sammontana wines are just the right bit peculiar while always extraordinarily drinkable. Over the years, they have aimed to use less and less sulphur, and limit clarification and filtering to an absolute minimum.