Il Pergola 2020, Toscana IGT Bianco

Overview

Il Pergola 2020 is a Toscana IGT Bianco crafted from 100% Grechetto, with about 20% affected by noble rot. This element gives the wine a unique complexity, with distinctive aromas and structure. The vineyards grow on clay soils rich in limestone and stones, contributing freshness and minerality. Production is extremely limited, with only 1,000 bottles, making this white wine a rare and highly valuable expression.

Wine History

Il Pergola was created to showcase Grechetto in an unusual style, combining elegance and depth. Manual harvesting ensures careful selection of the grapes, with particular attention to those touched by botrytis, which contribute aromas of honey, candied fruit, and dried flowers. The 2020 vintage offered favorable conditions, resulting in balanced and concentrated grapes, perfect for crafting a white wine with long aging potential.

Vineyard Philosophy

Work in the vineyards is conducted manually and with great respect for natural cycles. The clay and limestone soils with stones ensure elegance and longevity, while the age of the vines provides an ideal vegetative balance. The careful selection of botrytized clusters reflects an artisanal and authentic philosophy, aimed at fully enhancing the Tuscan terroir.

Vinification and Aging

The vinification of Il Pergola 2020 includes 30 days of skin contact, enriching its aromatic profile and giving structure. The wine is then aged for 12 months in wood, 6 months in steel, and an additional 18 months in bottle, achieving balance and complexity. Clarification and filtration practices are minimal, while the addition of SO₂ is carefully controlled.

Tasting Notes and Pairings

Color: deep golden yellow with amber highlights.
Nose: complex and layered, with notes of honey, ripe fruit, candied citrus, dried flowers, and delicate spices.
Palate: full-bodied, enveloping, with mineral freshness and a subtle sweetness from the botrytis. Long and harmonious finish.
Perfect with aged cheeses, elaborate fish dishes, white meats, and spiced cuisines. Also excellent as a meditation wine. Serve at 12–14 °C.

Technical Sheet

• Designation: Toscana IGT Bianco

• Grapes: 100% Grechetto (20% botrytis)

• Vintage: 2020

• Harvest: manual

• Soil: clay with limestone and stones

• Vinification: 30 days of skin contact

• Aging: 12 months in wood, 6 months in steel, 18 months in bottle

• Production: 1,000 bottles

• SO₂ added: controlled

• Serving temperature: 12–14 °C

• Aging potential: 8–10 years

Giacomo Baraldo – Vigneron in San Casciano dei Bagni

History

The passion of Giacomo Baraldo for wine was born during his eighteenth birthday, when two bottles opened by his father revealed the evocative power of aromas and flavors. From that moment, his vocation became study, research, and experimentation. After high school, he pursued a degree in Viticulture and Enology, and in 2009, together with his father, planted the first vines of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon in the Bossolo vineyard, a 0.6-hectare plot at 515 meters above sea level. His training expanded with international experiences in Bordeaux, Patagonia, New Zealand, and especially Burgundy, at the prestigious Domaine de Montille. Returning to Tuscany in 2016, Giacomo began producing wines that reflect the soul of the territory, combining tradition and innovation.

Philosophy in the vineyard

The management of Giacomo Baraldo’s vineyards is based on respect for the environment and the enhancement of soils. All parcels are covered with spontaneous grassing, essential to preserve soil structure and fertility. Work is carried out almost entirely by hand, following an artisanal philosophy that prioritizes quality over quantity. Treatments are limited to copper and sulfur, applied carefully according to seasonal trends and weather conditions. In June 2017, the entire Bossolo vineyard was replanted with pure Sangiovese, while on the western slopes of Monte Cetona, the “l’Affacciatoio” vineyard was planted with Grechetto and Chardonnay. Complementing this mosaic are the historic plots of Vigna Pozzone and Vigna Caccialupi, a testament to viticulture seeking balance and sustainability.

Approach in the cellar

The winery of Giacomo Baraldo represents the meeting point between his international experiences and respect for local peculiarities. Harvesting is always manual, with yields limited to 1–1.3 kg per vine, ensuring grapes of great aromatic concentration. Winemaking is conducted with careful use of technology, avoiding forced interventions and favoring spontaneous fermentations or selected yeasts adapted to each variety. Aging takes place in steel, wood, or cement depending on the style, with the goal of enhancing freshness and expressive finesse. Every choice in the cellar reflects the desire to preserve varietal purity and territorial identity, particularly the unmistakable character of Sangiovese.

A project between Tuscany and New Zealand

Alongside his Tuscan production, Baraldo also carries out a fascinating project in New Zealand, where he vinifies Pinot Noir in Waipara Valley. This international experience enriches his path, confirming an open-minded vision. However, his roots remain in San Casciano dei Bagni, where wines express the depth of the soils and the vocation of the vineyards. Today, the estate represents a dynamic reality, able to combine scientific rigor with artisanal sensitivity, creating wines that stand out for elegance, territorial expression, and aging potential.