San Giusto a Rentennano, a name of Etruscan origin, overlooks the upper course of the Arbia river in the further south Chianti Classico wine zone. The estate began life as a medieval monastery of Cistercian nuns and was called San Giusto alle Monache ("of the Nuns"). In 1204 it was fortified by the Florentines, after a treaty established it as their boundry with Siena. Only portions of the ancient fortification still stand, its crenellated battlements, massive barbican wall and underground vaults, used today as the ageing cellars for our wines.
In 1957, it was inherited by Enrico Martini di Cigala and in 1992, passed to his children, of whom Francesco, Luca and Elisabetta now manage the property.
The estate is comprised of 160 hectares, situated at an average altitude of 260 meters above sea level. 31 hectares are planted in vineyards, 11 in olive groves, 40 in woods, 78 in cultivated and grazing lands. The terrain is composed of various soils rich in different mineral components, sand, clay, lime, alkali, volcanic ash, argil and calcium. The microclimate is characterized by considerable day and night temperature differences and often ex heat during harvest time.
All the vineyards enjoy exceptionally favourable exposure . From the oldest vineyards , planted 35-40 years ago, we select superior autochthonic Sangiovese and Canaiolo clones to graft onto our new vines. The estate also has prime, unplanted terrain which inables us to rotate the cultivation of our vineyards.
This estate is considered one of the best producers of Sangiovese by Chianti Classico enthusiasts.
