San Polo

Marilisa Allegrini is one of Italy's most influential wine personalities, having built the Allegrini family business in Valpolicella into a global Amarone reference. After years of looking for a Tuscan complement to her family's Veneto holdings, she purchased the San Polo estate in 2006. The acquisition was deliberate: Marilisa wanted a property within the original delineated Brunello zone on the cooler northeastern side of Montalcino, where elevation and aspect would yield wines of elegance and aromatic complexity rather than power. Since 2015, the winery has been wholly owned by Marilisa and her two daughters, Carlotta and Caterina Mastella Allegrini, the next generation of the family business. Carlotta Mastella Allegrini, who holds a degree in medicine from the University of Florence, now leads day-to-day estate management and has been the driving force behind San Polo's conversion to organic and regenerative viticulture.

• Marilisa Allegrini, head of the Allegrini family wineries in Valpolicella, purchased San Polo in 2006
• Since 2015, San Polo is wholly owned by Marilisa, Carlotta, and Caterina Mastella Allegrini
• Estate selected for location in the original delineated Brunello zone with cool elevation and northeastern aspect
• Carlotta Mastella Allegrini (medicine, University of Florence) now leads estate management and sustainability initiatives

San Polo's vineyards lie on the cool, high-elevation eastern side of Montalcino, within what was historically the original and only delineated zone for Brunello di Montalcino production before the DOCG boundaries expanded. The estate covers approximately 22 hectares (54 acres) of vineyards on slopes that catch morning sun and benefit from significant diurnal temperature variation, preserving acidity and aromatic freshness in Sangiovese. Soils combine galestro (crumbly marl) with clay and stones, providing the mineral character and drainage typical of premium Montalcino sites. The relatively cool location yields wines of finesse, with bright red fruit, fine tannins, and elegant rather than extracted profile, in line with the Allegrini family's overall house style.

• Vineyards on the cooler, high-elevation eastern side of Montalcino in the historic Brunello zone
• ~22 hectares of organically farmed vineyards, all dedicated to Brunello-tier Sangiovese production
• Soils combine galestro marl, clay, and stones, contributing mineral character and excellent drainage
• Cool microclimate and east-facing aspect yield wines of finesse rather than extraction or power

San Polo has become one of Tuscany's leading sustainability examples under the Mastella Allegrini family's stewardship. The vineyards are certified organic and farmed using regenerative viticulture practices, including cover crops, minimal soil disturbance, and habitat preservation. The winery itself was the first in Tuscany to obtain CasaClima sustainability certification, an energy-efficiency and environmental-impact framework similar in concept to the LEED system used for buildings. The cellar features carefully integrated energy-recovery systems, water management, and biodiversity-focused landscaping. Winemaking emphasises native yeast fermentations, careful temperature management, and a balance between Slavonian oak botti and French oak tonneaux to preserve the cool-site freshness of the fruit while contributing measured structure and aromatic complexity.

• Certified organic farming with regenerative viticulture: cover crops, minimal soil disturbance, biodiversity focus
• First winery in Tuscany to obtain CasaClima sustainability certification (similar to LEED for buildings)
• Native yeast fermentation; careful temperature management throughout vinification
• Aging combines Slavonian botti and French tonneaux to preserve fruit freshness while adding measured complexity

San Polo's range centres on Brunello di Montalcino as the flagship and Rosso di Montalcino as the early-drinking companion. The Brunello di Montalcino expresses the cool, elegant northeastern profile with bright fruit, fine tannin, and aromatic complexity. The Rubio (a Sangiovese-based IGT Toscana) and Mezzopane (a Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend) round out the lineup with more accessible price points. The estate's wines have received consistent acclaim from critics including Wine Spectator, James Suckling, Vinous (Antonio Galloni), and Gambero Rosso, with the Brunello frequently appearing on top-100 lists. The combination of the Allegrini name, the cool-site terroir, and the family's deep commitment to sustainability has positioned San Polo among Montalcino's most forward-looking estates.

• Brunello di Montalcino: estate flagship from cool northeastern Montalcino, elegant and aromatic
• Rosso di Montalcino: accessible early-drinking expression of the estate house style
• Rubio Toscana IGT and Mezzopane Toscana IGT: Sangiovese and Bordeaux-blend ranges complementing DOCG wines
• Consistent critical acclaim: Wine Spectator top-100 placements, James Suckling, Vinous, Gambero Rosso

San Polo welcomes visitors by appointment for cellar tours, tastings, and educational sessions on organic viticulture and sustainable wine production. The estate has become a destination for wine professionals studying regenerative practices and CasaClima certification, with the Mastella Allegrini family actively engaged in industry-wide sustainability dialogue. Carlotta's leadership has emphasised both technical excellence and family continuity: the next-generation Allegrini commitment to Montalcino complements the family's longstanding Valpolicella holdings, with San Polo representing the cool-climate Sangiovese expression alongside the heavier-style Veneto reds. The wines are widely exported globally and have become reference points for modern, sustainable Brunello.

• Visitor tastings and educational sessions by appointment at the estate
• Destination for wine professionals studying organic viticulture and sustainability certifications
• Mastella Allegrini family actively engaged in industry-wide sustainability dialogue
• Wines widely exported and recognised as reference points for modern sustainable Brunello