San Gimignano Rosso

🇮🇹 Italy

DOC Rare find

DOC 1996 - Red sibling to Vernaccia DOCG, Sangiovese from medieval tower city, UNESCO pilgrim waypoint

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Region profile

History

San Gimignano DOC granted August 1996 for reds, rosés, Vin Santo - complementing Vernaccia DOCG whites. Same medieval tower town (72 towers reduced to 14). UNESCO World Heritage historic centre 1990. Via Francigena pilgrim relay point. Monks from nearby abbey spread winemaking to local farmers. Pliocene marine soils define terroir. Reds provide income diversification beyond famous Vernaccia white.

Climate
Mediterranean with Pliocene marine influence; 250-350m elevation; yellow sand (tufa) and yellow clay on blue clay substrates; well-drained sandy soils; cavernous limestone; 400-700m vineyards at Montenidoli (iron-rich, limestone base)
Signature wines
Montenidoli Sangiovese (200ha estate, 400-700m elevation, iron-rich limestone, organic); Fattoria di San Donato Arrigo Sangiovese (since 2015, Pero vineyard); Fattoria Poggio Alloro Convivio (90% Sangiovese + 10% Colorino); Cantina Altezza; Campochiarenti
What sets it apart
DOC 1996 - red complement to famous Vernaccia DOCG white; 14 medieval towers UNESCO World Heritage; Via Francigena pilgrim crossroads; Pliocene marine soils (6.8-1.8M years) with tufa/yellow clay; Montenidoli 400-700m elevation iron-rich terroir; same ancient town, different wine tradition

Facts

  • DOC August 1996 (separate from Vernaccia DOCG)
  • 8 wine types total
  • 500-600m elevation vineyards
  • same UNESCO World Heritage town (14 medieval towers)
  • Via Francigena pilgrim route
  • Pliocene soils 6.8-1.8 million years old
  • 12% minimum alcohol
  • Riserva 12.5%

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