Tenuta Le Calcinaie is a small and well-kept company just three kilometers from the city of San Gimignano (in the province of Siena). The estate takes its name from the composition of the soil in this area: in fact layers of limestone (calcina), originating from marine deposits from the Pliocene era, are found half a meter deep.

Simone Santini , a passionate viticulturist, is the owner: he planted his first hectare with Vernaccia vines, the “Vigna ai Sassi” vineyard, in 1986 and in 1989 he planted 7000 m2 of Sangiovese. The 1993 vintage of Teodoro, 100% Sangiovese, was the first wine he produced (only one barrique was bottled), the 1995 vintage was the first Vernaccia di San Gimignano produced. The total extension of the vineyard is now 12 hectares and the average production is 70,000 bottles per year. Since 1995 the company has fully followed the organic protocol , the wines and all company products are certified organic according to EU and NOP regulations.

Since 2006, a new completely underground cellar has been completed , where the wines are able to mature protected from temperature changes and follow the natural refinement process.
The composition of the soil – layers of limestone topped by layers of clay, sand and fossils – produces mineral, structured and flavorful whites. The delicate skin of the Vernaccia grape is protected from the sun by the north-eastern exposure of the vineyards.

The reds are grown in the upper part of the property and the soils are rich in stone and made up of red and brown clay: this improves the colour, richness and finesse of the wines. The altitude of the vineyards is between 200 and 250 meters above sea level.

Simone has dedicated his entire life to creating and taking care of his own vineyards and wines.
A Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva, a Chianti Colli Senesi, a Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva and four IGT / proprietary wines are produced. Three Sangiovese and one 100% Merlot. “ Grape Ingredients ” is a proprietary wine, 100% Sangiovese produced without the use of sulphites.