ontepulciano, lying on the rolling hills between Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana, has always been known for its excellent wines, among which the best-known is of course Nobile di Montepulciano, also known as the "king of the wines."Vin Santo, the wine of friendship and hospitality, is another one of the pearls that has been produced here since time immemorial. It used to be produced in small quantities from carefully selected grapes that were left to dry for a long time before they were vinified in small oak or chestnut barrels. The high sugar content, which was obtained by drying the grapes on racks, yielded a wine that was both alcoholic and sweet.
To date, Vin Santo is produced respecting the same age-old traditions. The wine of friendship and hospitality is still uncorked only on special occasions. The gift of a bottle of Vin Santo is considered a sign of great friendship and respect.
The three subcategories of Vin Santo di Montepulciano D.O.C. - Normale, Riserva, and Occhio di Pernice - are produced only in the best areas of Montepulciano: those that have the best exposition and microclimatic conditions and which are between 880 and 2,000 feet above see level.
