he Bianco di San Torpé production zone consists of the territories of various communes in Pisa province, including Capannori, Terricciola, Chiani, Crespina and Casciana Terme and parts of the areas of Cascina and Pontedera. In addition, it includes part of the communal territory of Collesalvetti in Livorno province.The wine is named for the first Christian martyred in Pisa, of which he, along with San Ranieri, is the patron. Torpé, a Roman centurion, was beheaded in the city in the year 68. According to pious legend, the saint's body was transported by boat to the coast of France where the town of Saint Tropez now stands. The head is still preserved in the church in Pisa that bears the martyr's name.
The wine originated long ago. As early as the 1st century, a white wine was being produced in the area between Zambia and Cenaia. According to reports cited by Giovanni Targioni Tozzetti in the Annali Camaldolesi, that output was centered on a settlement known as Curtis San Torpis, which in 780 was presented as a gift to the Abbey of San Savino.
The first certain information about the wine produced in this area of Etruscan settlement dates to the 15th century. In several documents of that period, there are references to the arrival on the Florence market of shipments of Trebbiano of outstanding quality from the Pisan hills. Afterward, when the Grand Duchy of Tuscany was established, production was considerably expanded.
