San Polino
サン・ポリーノ
Montalcino's organic pioneer, now farmed fully biodynamic.
San Polino is a small, family-run estate on the southeastern slopes of Montalcino, about 9km from the town toward Castelnuovo dell'Abate. Acquired in 1990 by Luigi Fabbro (from Friuli) and his English wife Katia Nussbaum, the couple planted their first vineyards in 1994 and achieved organic certification the same year, becoming Montalcino's first certified organic estate. San Polino later became one of the first fully biodynamic estates in the Brunello zone, farming under a philosophy of 'deep vitiforestry' that integrates woodland, biodiversity, and permaculture principles into viticulture. All wines are made exclusively from Sangiovese (Sangiovese Grosso), fermented spontaneously with ambient yeasts in stainless steel or terracotta, aged without added sulfur beyond the essential minimum, and bottled without filtration. Their Brunello di Montalcino, first released with the 2001 vintage, is celebrated for its purity, precision, and long aging potential, alongside the Rosso di Montalcino, the Riserva, and the single-vineyard Helichrysum bottling. The estate has earned acclaim from Decanter, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, and Wine Enthusiast, and Katia Nussbaum is a frequently cited voice on biodynamic viticulture.
www.sanpolino.it/ ↗Cuvées
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Who Is This For?
For wine lovers who value transparent, low-intervention winemaking and want to experience a Brunello defined by purity, precision, and a genuine sense of place rather than power or oak.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is San Polino certified organic or biodynamic?
- Yes. San Polino became Montalcino's first certified organic estate in 1994 and has since moved to fully biodynamic farming, making it one of the pioneers of biodynamic viticulture in the Brunello zone.
- Who founded San Polino and when?
- The estate was acquired in 1990 by Luigi Fabbro and his English wife Katia Nussbaum, who planted the first vineyards and gained organic certification in 1994; their first Brunello di Montalcino was released from the 2001 vintage.
- What grape variety does San Polino use?
- San Polino works exclusively with Sangiovese (locally called Sangiovese Grosso / Brunello), grown on roughly 5 hectares of vineyard on the southeastern slopes of Montalcino.
- What wines does San Polino produce?
- The range consists of Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva (in top vintages only), and the single-vineyard Brunello di Montalcino Helichrysum.
- What food pairs well with San Polino's Brunello di Montalcino?
- Its firm but refined tannins and bright acidity pair well with grilled red meats, game, mushroom-based dishes, and aged cheeses, as well as slow-simmered Japanese dishes like beef sukiyaki or grilled wagyu.