Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Vernaccia di San Gimignano carries the VIVC prime name Vernaccia di San Gimignano, variety number 12998, with a white (blanc) berry skin. VIVC records Italy as its country or region of origin, so an Italian origin is likely. Its parentage is unknown: both parent fields in its passport are blank, and no full pedigree is recorded.

• VIVC prime name: Vernaccia di San Gimignano; VIVC variety number 12998; berry skin colour: blanc (white)
• Country of origin: Italy (likely, single source)
• Parents: none recorded (parentage unknown)

San Gimignano's tax ordinances of 1276 already record the production and sale of Vernaccia. Dante named Vernaccia in Purgatorio, Canto XXIV, where he places Pope Martin IV in Purgatory to atone for gluttony, in particular for the eels of Bolsena drowned in Vernaccia. After its medieval and Renaissance fame the wine went through a long decline, until San Gimignano's growers rediscovered the value of the old variety after the Second World War. That revival led to DOC status on 3 March 1966, making it the first wine in Italy to hold the title, followed by DOCG status on 9 July 1993.

• Production and sale recorded in San Gimignano's tax ordinances of 1276
• Named by Dante in Purgatorio, Canto XXIV
• First wine in Italy to receive DOC status (3 March 1966)
• Approved as a DOCG on 9 July 1993

The production zone lies entirely within the municipality of San Gimignano, in the north-west of the province of Siena, Tuscany. Vineyards sit on hillsides between 70 and 500 metres above sea level. The soils formed on Pliocene marine deposits of yellow sand and yellow and grey clays. The climate is sub-Mediterranean, with fairly dry summers and fairly cold winters.

• Production confined to the municipality of San Gimignano, province of Siena
• Vineyards between 70 and 500 metres above sea level
• Pliocene soils of yellow sand and clays
• Sub-Mediterranean climate with fairly dry summers and fairly cold winters

Vernaccia di San Gimignano must make up at least 85% of the blend. Other non-aromatic white varieties suited to cultivation in Tuscany may make up to 15%, and Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling may make up no more than 10%, alone or together. The Vernaccia name is also used for entirely different varieties, such as those of Oristano and Serrapetrona.

• Minimum 85% Vernaccia di San Gimignano required
• Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling capped at 10%, alone or together
• Shares its name with entirely different Vernaccia varieties of Oristano and Serrapetrona

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG is a white wine, also made as a Riserva. On release it is straw yellow with golden highlights that deepen with age; the nose is delicate and fruity at first and can develop mineral notes with ageing; the palate is dry and savoury, sometimes with a characteristic almond finish. The base wine needs at least 11.5% alcohol and the Riserva 12.5%. The Riserva ages for at least 11 months from 1 January after the harvest, with three months in bottle before release. Wooden vessels are permitted in winemaking and storage, and the wines come in two main styles: unoaked and kept on the lees, giving fresh, citrus whites, or richer and oaked.

• Dry white; straw yellow with golden highlights, sometimes with a characteristic almond finish
• Minimum 11.5% alcohol for the base wine; 12.5% for Riserva
• Riserva: at least 11 months of ageing, including 3 months in bottle
• Both unoaked and oaked styles are made

Primary sources: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=12998 ; https://www.masaf.gov.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeAttachment.php/L/IT/D/1%252F2%252F3%252FD.8ccd09a077f2ec35dc9b/P/BLOB%3AID%3D4625/E/7z?mode=download Reference sources: https://italianwinecentral.com/denomination/vernaccia-di-san-gimignano-docg/ ; https://www.decanter.com/premium/experts-choice-vernaccia-di-san-gimignano-386521/ ; https://www.decanter.com/premium/vernaccia-di-san-gimignano-tuscanys-supreme-territory-for-white-wines-533034/ Last verified 2026-10-27