Villa di Geggiano

Andrea and Alessandro Boscu Bianchi Bandinelli are the umpteenth generation to oversee this statuesque Piannella estate, just outside Siena. Records show Villa di Geggiano being shipped (in cask) to England in the mid 16th century, a tradition revived during the late '80s when the brothers bought back the estate. Alessandro, ex-navy and carpenter, makes the wines, while Andrea looks after sales.

They plan a new cuverie, but in the meantime continue to tweak current methods to meet rising expectations, for example their goal to be certified 'organic' with the 2007 harvest. The wines are produced from a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks and the wines are then matured in a combination of small barriques, butts and 700-litre casks. Their style of wine remains quintessentially 'Classico', full, fleshy and a fabulous food-wine...great with lamb shank!