History
San Giusto a Rentennano, located in Gaiole in Chianti within Tuscany's Chianti Classico zone, traces its roots to the Middle Ages as a historic castle estate owned by the Martini di Cigala family for generations. The family revived winemaking in the 1970s, focusing on Sangiovese alongside small plantings of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, pioneering single-vineyard expressions like Percarlo from galestro and alberese soils. Today, siblings Enrico and Eleonora Martini lead the organic-certified estate, producing elegant Chianti Classicos, Super Tuscans, and Vin Santo from hillside vineyards.
Viticulture Philosophy
Organic farming on steep slopes emphasizes green harvesting (30-50% crop thinning in summer) for perfect ripeness, manual labor, and cover crops to enhance soil health and freshness amid significant diurnal shifts. Diverse soils—galestro, alberese, and clay—across Chianti Classico subzones capture terroir nuance, prioritizing low yields and biodiversity for vibrant, age-worthy Sangiovese.
Winemaking Techniques
Sangiovese ferments 14 days in glazed concrete and stainless steel vats with pump-overs and punch-downs for optimal extraction, followed by soft pressing and malolactic; Chianti Classico ages 10-12 months in medium casks and tonneaux, then 6 months in bottle. Percarlo (100% Sangiovese) sees longer oak aging; Vin Santo involves 4 months appassimento of Malvasia and Trebbiano, pressing into small casks for 6 years with 40% evaporation loss.
Critics and Journalist Praises
San Giusto earns acclaim for pure, shimmering Chianti Classico elegance, with ItalianWine.blog lauding 2012 Le Baroncole's cherry-soil intensity and 2011 Riserva's explosive freshness on a fine frame. Critics highlight Percarlo's refined depth and Vin Santo's concentration as Tuscan benchmarks blending tradition and terroir precision.
