Il Colombaio di Santachiara (sic) is an organic estate winery in Località Racciano in the San Gimignano region of Tuscany in Italy. Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG and DOCG Riserva whites are made, as is a San Gimignano Vin Santo DOC. Reds include San Gimignano Rosso DOC and Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG.

Owners: Three brothers. Their father Mario founded the estate in the 1950s. The first wines were made in 2002 after Alessio Logi, one of Mario’s three sons, started studying to become an oenologist. Alessio’s older brothers Giampiero and Stefano are also involved.

Staff: 2019 Consultant oenologist: Nicola Berti. Also Paolo Caciorgna.

Vineyards: 2013 12ha of which 7ha Vernaccia di San Gimignano, 2ha Chianti Senesi, 2ha IGT and 1ha San Gimignano Rosso. 340-400 metres.  2019 40ha of land of which 22ha of vines.

Terroir: ‘Mainly calcareous, galestro and sandy,’ Alessio Logi told me (2 March 2021). The vines are in three varied zones, all in high spots: Località San Donato, Cotone, and Località Racciano (see link above) where the estate is based. Baciolo 1ha called Baciolo, north-facing, planted with Cabernet Franc. Campo della Pieve 1.5ha of Vernaccia, below the parish of San Donato, and bottled separately (see below for details on the wine). Colombaio Vernaccia vineyard used for the L’Albereta bottling (see below). The site is called Colombaio and it is located in Località Racciano. The vineyard faces east on bot tufa and calcareous soil. There are 2.5ha of Vernaccia vines. These are used for the Albereta bottling. Cotone: 10ha. The estate’s largest plot of land. It faces east, and backs onto Frazione Pancole. It is considered one of San Gimignano’s best terroirs for Vernaccia. Both Vernaccia and Sangiovese are planted here. The name ‘Cotone’ is said to date from 1011 and derives from ‘large rock’. Very saline wines from here. Pescille Between San Donato and Colombaio in the south of the San Gimignano township. 3ha of Vernaccia and Sangiovese. South-facing. San Donato 2ha of Vernaccia in San Donato on Pliocene sands over a geological sub-stratum of clays, pebbles and gravels. South-facing. Via Vecchia 2ha of vines. The Via Vecchia or ‘old road’ connected San Gimignano with Poggibonsi. The vines are surrounded by olive trees.

Organic certification: 2013 Yes. | 2021 Yes.

Winemaking: 100% hand picked into cases. Cold stored for 24 hours. Pressed under carbon dioxide.

Sparkling wines

Spumante Brut, Lumis: 80% Vernaccia, 20% Chardonnay. Charmat method.

White wines

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, Selvabianca: Pliocene sands and clays, deep, chalky. 360-400 metres. | Fermented in steel. Lees aged. Cultured yeast. No oak. Part aged in cement. 2011 Nice modern bitter lemon citrus (2013 Anteprima). | 2012 40,000 bottles. Citric, rich lemon-pineapple, nice weight (2013 Anteprima). | 2018 13.5% alc. Savoury Sauvignon Blanc style (2019 Anteprima).

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, Campo della Pieve: Single vineyard in Località San Donato. The vines are near a hamlet called Campo della Pieve. Very diverse terroir. Pliocene clays and sands. Quite elevated, at 360-400 metres. Fermented in cement.| 2010 Buttery, nice citrus, very good (Anteprima 2013). | 2011 Elegant, lean almost, vg character (2013 Anteprima). | 2017 Clean, cool fermented fresh modern style Vernaccia (2019 Anteprima).

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG Riserva, L’Albereta (sic): From a 2ha portion of Campo della Pieve, above. Aged in botti and concrete. | 2010 Lighter, leaner than the 2011 (2013 Anteprima). | 2011 Full, fullest wine, bit heavy and creamy (2013 Anteprima). | 2012 New style copied from Alto Adige and aged in botti. |  2016 Oaky and fruity but not overly heavy (2019 Anteprima).

Pink wines

Toscana Rosato, Cremisi: 100% Sangiovese.

Red wines

Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG, Campale: 95% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot. 283-350 metres. Soils of mixed origin, composition and consistency. Sandy soils rich in stones and [marine origin] fossils. | 2009 Debut vintage.

Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG Riserva, Il Priore: 80% Sangiovese, 20% Canaiolo. 330-390 metres. Mixed soils. Pliocene sands and clays, deep and chalky.

San Gimignano Rosso DOC Riserva, Colombaio: Soils of mixed consistency, rich in stones and limestone. 100% Sangiovese. Ferments in cement vats.

Sweet wines

San Gimignano Vin Santo DOC, Di Mario: Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia.

Sales: UK: Alivini (2021).

Contact

Il Colombaio di Santachiara

Località San Donato, 1

I-53037 San Gimignano (SI), Italy

Tel+39 0577 942004. | Website: https://www.colombaiosantachiara.it/en/