Montalcino in miniature

The tiny, rugged estate of San Polino perches on the top of a hill about 10 minutes south east of Montalcino in central Italy, above a breathtaking view of the surrounding valleys and hills. The first 300 Sangiovese vines were planted here in 1998, and in 2001 the owners harvested their first vintage from the three-year-old vines.

Luigi (or Gigi as everyone calls him) Fabbro and Katia Nussbaum bought San Polino in the 1990s. The land was virgin, and had nothing but 1.5 ha (3.7 acres) of olive trees. They started off by making olive oil with the help of...