Morellino di Scansano

🇮🇹 Italy

DOCG

DOCG 2007 - Coastal Maremma Sangiovese (called Morellino), 1,500ha, 8-10M bottles, approachable reds, Le Pupille & Moris Farms benchmarks

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Region profile

History

Etruscan origins - vine cultivation ancient in Scansano and Maremma. DOC status 1978 established by pioneers Fattoria Mantellassi, Moris Farms, Fattoria Le Pupille. DOCG elevation 2007 vintage. "Morellino" name derives from local Morelli horses (dark coat color matching Sangiovese skins). Coastal Maremma traditionally rustic wine region, modern era quality transformation. Elisabetta Geppetti (Le Pupille) pivotal 1980s-1990s: first Morellino 1982, Saffredi 1987 Super Tuscan paved territory redemption. Alberto Tanzini (Roccapesta) 2003 career change, 30th year 2024, reference point. Consorzio Tutela Morellino di Scansano oversees quality. Gambero Rosso 2024: two Tre Bicchieri, eight Due Bicchieri Rossi.

Climate
Mediterranean coastal climate; Maremma region southern Tuscany; Tyrrhenian Sea coastal hills; altitude 100-350m; abundant sunshine; cool sea breezes balance summer heat; ideal vine-growing climate; warmer/drier than inland Tuscany; well-draining soils
Signature wines
Fattoria Le Pupille Morellino di Scansano Riserva (Elisabetta Geppetti, 1982 first Morellino, classic coastal Sangiovese benchmark) and MorisFarms Morellino di Scansano Riserva (Ranieri Moris/Giulio Parentin, reliable, approachable, food-friendly, identity-driven) and Roccapesta Vigna Liuzza Riserva (Alberto Tanzini/Giuseppe Gorelli, rare elegance/complexity, coherent Maremman Sangiovese soul)
What sets it apart
Coastal Maremma Sangiovese terroir (warmer, sunnier than inland); "Morellino" name from local Morelli horses; 100-350m coastal hills with sea breezes; softer, riper, more approachable than Chianti; 8-10M bottles annually (major Tuscany DOCG); 1,500ha between Albegna/Ombrone Rivers; Le Pupille 1980s pioneering; Etruscan origins; food-friendly Mediterranean character; 75% domestic market

Facts

  • 1,500 hectares registered vineyards
  • 8-10 million bottles annually
  • 75% sold Italy, 25% export (Germany, USA)
  • 346 producers
  • 7 municipalities: Scansano, Campagnatico, Grosseto, Magliano in Toscana, Manciano, Roccalbegna, Semproniano
  • production area 65,000ha total (between Albegna/Ombrone Rivers)
  • DOCG 2007 vintage, DOC 1978
  • 4,000 vines/hectare minimum density
  • 9 tons/hectare maximum yield
  • 3kg/vine maximum
  • Etruscan origins

Region profile from the Wine Memories wine-data corpus · verified January 2026