Welcome to Clubhouse Ambassadors’ Corner and Episode 2620 of the Italian Wine Podcast. In this episode, Lisa Lazzaretto interviews Tancredi Biondi Santi of Castello di Montepò in Maremma, Tuscany. They explore the legacy (and pressures) of growing up in the iconic Biondi Santi family, the family’s bold move from Montalcino to Maremma, and the unique Sangiovese Grosso clone discovered in the 1970s. Along the way, they discuss how terroir shapes Sangiovese differently in Montalcino versus Maremma, the estate’s wines, the challenge of climate change, and even the rumors that Elon Musk once eyed Castello di Montepò.
These sessions are recorded from Clubhouse and reproduced here for the Italian Wine Podcast.
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the legacy of the Biondi Santi family and the evolution from Montalcino to Maremma.
- Learn about the unique Sangiovese Grosso clone and the differences in growing Sangiovese between Montalcino and Maremma.
- Gain insight into Castello di Montepò’s wines, terroir, and approach to climate challenges.
More about today’s host:
Lisa Lazzaretto, PhD, is a Swiss-based entrepreneur, wine professional, and marketing strategist. She holds a doctorate in Political Science and a Diploma in Marketing, and is the founder of Wine Mood, an e-commerce platform dedicated to curated Italian wines. An Italian Wine Ambassador and WSET Diploma holder (DipWSET), Lisa bridges academic insight with hands-on industry expertise. Her recent research focuses on neuromarketing, consumer behavior, and modern wine communication. Active across international wine fairs and competitions, she combines research, storytelling, and business innovation to connect people with Italian wine.
Connect:
Website: https://www.winemood.ch/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-lazzaretto/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winemood_ch/
More about today’s guest:
The Castello di Montepò winery is located in the heart of the Maremma Toscana region, in the province of Grosseto, north of the municipality of Scansano. It is situated in a hilly area (between 300 and 460 meters above sea level) and is famous for producing the high-quality Super Tuscan wine Sassoalloro (100% Sangiovese Grosso BBS11). Castello di Montepò represents the current chapter of the Biondi Santi family’s winemaking history.
Tancredi Biondi Santi, son of Jacopo Biondi Santi, is fully involved in the estate and serves as co-winemaker alongside his father, contributing to vineyard management, cellar work, and the long-term qualitative direction of the wines. He lives between Castello di Montepò and New York City, where he is also active in the international market development and global positioning of the family estate.
Connect:
Website: https://castellodimontepo.it/en/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castellodimontepo/
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What is Maremma?
Maremma is is a vast geographical area situated in the middle of Italy known for its coastal vineyards, Mediterranean climate, and increasingly high-quality wines that combine structure with freshness. Located in southern Tuscany, Maremma has evolved from a once rural and marshy area into one of Italy’s most dynamic wine territories. Its diverse soils, strong sun exposure, and sea influence allow producers to cultivate both native and international grape varieties, making it a region associated with innovation, experimentation, and expressive terroir-driven wines.
What grapes grow in Maremma?
Maremma supports a wide range of grape varieties thanks to its flexible climate and soils. Native Italian grapes thrive alongside international varieties, allowing producers to experiment while maintaining regional identity. The combination of warm days, cool nights, and coastal influence makes it possible to produce wines with both ripeness and acidity, a hallmark of high-quality Tuscan production.
Where is Castello di Montepò?
Castello di Montepò is located in the hills of southern Tuscany within the Maremma area. The estate overlooks the Ombrone valley and benefits from a unique combination of elevation, sea breezes, and mineral-rich soils. Its position plays a crucial role in shaping the character of its wines, allowing balanced ripening and complexity that reflect the identity of coastal Tuscany.
