Vernaccia represents one of the historic white wines within a region predominantly devoted to red wine production, such as Tuscany; Dante, Boccaccio, CeccoAngiolieri. And then Folgòre da San Gimignano and even Michelangelo Buonarroti. This is not just a mere list of artists that we have just recited, but these are the personalities who, in the past, within their works or correspondence, spoke about Vernaccia di San Gimignano, probably one of the most cited wines in the history of Italian literature. Moreover, it was among the first to obtain DOC status back in 1966, with DOCG status following later in 1993.
Vernaccia: the origin of the name
Its name seems to derive from the term "vernaculum," which means "of the place." Thus, it was likely how various locally spread grape varieties were named in different areas of Italy. Indeed, there are numerous varieties with this name, some of which, like the one from Serrapetrona in the Marche region or the "Schiava Grigia" in Alto Adige (vernatsch in German), are red in color. Other scholars, however, argue that the grape variety originated in Vernazza, Liguria, and only later arrived in San Gimignano. Nevertheless, as early as the year 1000, this wine held a prominent place in the Tuscan wine scene and was traded by Florentine and Venetian merchants even in Northern Europe.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano: the denomination
The grape variety is one of the many prides of the marvelous town of San Gimignano, nestled among the Sienese hills and the Val d’Elsa. One of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, the city is famous for its perfectly preserved medieval core, where numerous towers still stand, testifying to the power of the families who built them nearly eight hundred years ago. The denomination covers vineyards throughout the entire municipality, a territory that, despite not being very large (currently about 750 hectares are dedicated to the grape variety), exhibits many nuances. In addition to the soils, which are quite diverse and contain different proportions of sand, clay, organic matter, and rocks, the pedoclimatic variety is further enhanced by altitudes ranging from 60 meters to 640 meters above sea level.
The Vernaccia di San Gimignano wines with the best quality-price ratio
It is therefore worth exploring its potential, both in its vintage versions, which are fragrant and designed for drinkability, and especially in its Riserva versions, which can offer surprises with aging. Below is a list of the best wines we tasted, reviewed in the pages of the Berebene and Vini d’Italia 2025 guides by Gambero Rosso.
Clara Stella '23 is rich and dynamic on the palate, with an olfactory profile that hints of iodine, dried fruit, and medicinal herbs. The couple Flavia Del Seta and Francesco Galgani manage Podere Cappellasantandrea, which was purchased in 1959 by Flavia’s grandfather. It is a small, family-run organic winery where compost for the vineyards comes from farm animals, and vines grow alongside apple, pear, and maple trees. In addition to Vernaccia, they cultivate Sangiovese, Merlot, and Ciliegiolo. The winery matures its wines in amphorae, wood, and concrete, depending on the type.
Signano, the beautiful agricultural estate of the Biagini family, is family-run: Manrico is assisted by his children Pietro and Teres in managing the agritourism part of Casolare di Bucciano. Located on the western slope of San Gimignano, traditional grape varieties of the region are cultivated here. Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva La Ginestra '22 is savory, with notes of tea, candied lemon peel, and a fresh, tonic sip.
Soft and creamy, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Sanice Ris. '21 has some subtle evolved notes on the nose, predominantly featuring almond paste and white chocolate. On the palate, the wine is structured yet retains a fair degree of finesse in its broad development, culminating in a finish marked by pronounced saline traits.
Everything began in 1949 when Guido and Annunziata Cesani arrived in San Gimignano from the Marche region, purchasing a house and a small plot of land in Pancole, where they practised subsistence farming alongside raising a few livestock. It was their son Vincenzo who transformed this small-scale endeavour into a wine estate, bottling the first Vernaccia in 1980, with his daughters Letizia and Marialuisa having now been supporting him in the business for many years.
In Casale, northeast of San Gimignano on the road to Certaldo, lies Pietraserena, one of the estates owned by the Arrigoni family. Of the total 40 hectares, the majority is dedicated to vineyards, with the remainder given over to olive groves and coppice woodland. The Vernaccia di San Gimignano Vigna del Sole '23 comes from a vineyard facing southwest; a small portion of the grapes are harvested slightly overripe, lending the wine structure, creaminess, and hints of tropical fruit. Typically savoury, it features nuances of mint on the finish.
The Vernaccia di San Gimignano I Mocali Ris. '21 from F.lli Vagnoni offers a deep, fruit-driven freshness that makes for an extremely enjoyable sip.
Substantial, fleshy, and sapid, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Ris. '22 from Tenuta La Vigna is not only a structured wine but also boasts well-defined aromas of yellow fruit and butter.
With delightful acidity, hints of iodine, and perfectly measured oak influence, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Ris. '21 from Tenute Palagetto has nothing out of place in its aromatic profile. On the palate, it delivers a thrilling sip, marked by impressive length, depth, and flavour.
Palagetto’s story is one of a winery and a family deeply rooted in San Gimignano. Luano Niccolai, after achieving success in the campervan industry, decided to invest in his homeland, acquiring in the 1980s the first plots of land that would become Tenute Niccolai. The legacy then passed to his daughter Sabrina, and today the estate is managed by the third generation, with Sabrina’s children, Arianna and Niccolò, at the helm.
The name Selvabianca ('wild white') seems to anticipate the fresh white fruit aromas, herbal hints, and almost undergrowth-like tones of the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Selvabianca '23. As always, its freshness and vibrant drinkability define the palate.
Il Colombaio di Santa Chiara, owned by the Logi family, has built a compelling winemaking project since 2002, achieving formidable progress in just over two decades. Today, its wines, particularly its Vernaccia, consistently rank at the very top of the San Gimignano denomination. These are finely executed wines that shine with a clear definition of their distinctive traits, proving to be authentic, delicious, and strongly tied to their terroir.
It was Giovanni Panizzi who, in 1979, purchased the Santa Margherita estate, the first nucleus of what is now a winery in the hands of Simone Niccolai, a proponent of intelligent continuity. The release of the first Panizzi Vernaccia di San Gimignano in 1990, alongside a few others, sparked a qualitative revolution. That same dynamism remains the defining trait of this San Gimignano winery, currently engaged in unique projects such as the production of a Pinot Noir—an absolute rarity in the City of Towers. Here, we highlight the Vernaccia Vigna Santa Margherita.
Casa alle Vacche, owned by the Ciappi family, is located in Lucignano, just a stone’s throw from the City of Towers. A key turning point in its winemaking journey came in the early 1990s, propelling the winery—now run by brothers Fernando and Lorenzo—into one of the most significant names within the denomination. While Vernaccia is evidently the star of its range, the winery also produces a more limited selection of red wines.
Teruzzi has the largest vineyard area of any private winery within the Vernaccia di San Gimignano denomination. Established in 1974 by Enrico Teruzzi, the estate boasts a remarkable history in the City of Towers. Since its acquisition by the Terra Moretti Group in 2016, it has enjoyed renewed energy, greater awareness, and a convincing revival.
The Vernaccia di San Gimignano Ori Ris. '22 offers an intricate and refined nose, featuring yellow flowers, hints of yellow fruit, and flinty undertones. The palate is sapid, fine, and sleek, with a flavourful evolution and a fragrant finish.
In 1995, Giorgio Comotti left Milan for Tuscany, acquiring an abandoned estate along the road between San Gimignano and Volterra. There, he planted his first vineyards and built a winery. Today, Il Palagione’s wines stand out for their clearly defined style, where fragrant aromatics and vibrant, sapid, and elegantly vertical flavour progressions take centre stage.
Fresh, delicate, and immediate, the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Viti Sparse '22 from Terre di Sovernaja offers subtle hints of fresh hay.
The Vernaccia di San Gimignano Fiora Ris. '22 from Fornacelle exudes aromas of tropical fruit, hints of marjoram, citrus, and spicy flashes. The sip is sapid and smooth, with warmth emerging on the finish. The estate also produces a solid Chianti Colli Senesi '23, with a vertical, fruit-driven profile that tightens slightly on the finish.
The Vernaccia di San Gimignano Ris. '20 presents a well-structured flavour progression. On the nose, it exhibits a slight evolution with notes of dried medicinal herbs and faint earthy touches, yet it finishes with menthol and almond nuances.
Tenuta Villa Cusona is located near San Gimignano, and the Guicciardini Strozzi family has made Vernaccia one of its flagship wines. It was Girolamo Strozzi who, in the 1970s, developed the winery’s viticultural activities. Today, the estate is run by his daughters, Natalia and Irina Jr. Since 1999, Guicciardini Strozzi has expanded its horizons to Maremma (Tenuta Poggio Moreto and Tenuta I Massi) and Pantelleria (Coste di Kuddia).
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