An outstanding Tuscan winery that has pioneered key developments in the Chianti Classico region for the last 40 years.Based in Castelnuovo Berardenga, around 30 miles south-east of Florence and at the southern end of the Chianti Classico zone, this reputable estate includes 140 hectares of vineyard, a cellar, around 17,000 olive trees, and a village with a prestigious hotel complex. Winemaker Leonardo Bellaccini crafts a portfolio of wines which is highly regarded and multi award-winning - classic expressions of high quality Sangiovese.

This is a pioneering winery - producing the fore-runner to the Supertuscans, Vigorello (the first wine in the Chianti Classico region produced using solely red grapes) in the late 1960s. This was followed by the introduction of Poggio Rosso in the 1970s (the first example of a Chianti Classico 'Cru'), and then by its partnership with the Universities of Florence and Pisa in the 1980s. At a time when other estates were focusing on international varieties, this partnership led to the development of its Vitiarium, or experimental vineyard, where it has cultivated and studied indigenous grape varieties (such as Pugnitello) for over 30 years. San Felice was also amongst the first Chianti Classico estates to produce a 'Gran Selezione' wine - a new classification introduced as the top quality tier for wines in the region - with the inaugural 2010 vintage.

San Felice lies adjacent to its sister property, Villa la Pagliaia - and has an additional estate, Campogiovanni, in Montalcino.

Vermentino is a classic variety in the Maremma region, where it achieves perfect ripeness in the hill. Located on the Tuscan coast, the Mediterranean moderates the temperatures, particularly in autumn.

Vermentino from the Perolla estate is blended with a little Sauvignon Blanc from San Felice's Camporosso vineyard. The wine is cool-fermented, and then matured sur lie for about 1 month.

Ideal as an aperitif, but enjoy this very versatile wine with light starters, fish, veal or poultry.