About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Petit Sancaba is the estate’s second wine. The 2024 selection combines grapes from the youngest Pinot Nero vineyard, planted in 2019, with second-pick fruit from the remaining vineyards. The vines were 6–18 years old, planted at densities of 5,000 and 8,000 vines per hectare, and yielded 4 tonnes per hectare.
The vineyards lie at 650 m above sea level around San Casciano dei Bagni in the southern part of the province of Siena. The wider Sancaba site is characterized by crumbling, calcium-rich clay and shale. Cool winds, pronounced differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures, limited rainfall and a northern climatic influence extend the growing season.
Viticulture is certified organic. Vineyard fertility is maintained with animal manure and green manure, while treatments are limited to copper and sulphur permitted in organic cultivation. The wider estate has been certified organic since 2016 and began biodynamic trials in 2020.
Grapes
100% Pinot Nero.
Vinification
For 2024, the grapes were manually selected between the end of August and 11 September. Fermentation proceeded for 10 days in stainless-steel vats with indigenous yeasts. Whole clusters accounted for 25% of the fruit. There were no punch-downs; only light pump-overs were used to restrain extraction.
The 2022 wine was made with 20% whole bunches.
Ageing
The 2024 wine matured for approximately six months in cement vats and was bottled during the waning moon in April 2025. The 2022 vintage was raised in concrete and old oak.
Technical data
2024: IGT Rosso Toscana; 13.0% abv; 5,300 bottles.
2022: IGT Toscana; 12.5% abv; 5,330 bottles.
Tasting profile
The 2024 has a pale color, freshness, pronounced fruit, considerable aromatic intensity and a dynamic, immediately accessible palate.
The 2022 was described as transparent, pretty and lively, with sweetness on the palate and a light spicy-oak accent.
Vintage notes
2024
Spring and early summer were cool and damp, followed by a hot, dry August. Abundant spring rain continued into early July, though less intensely than in 2023. Careful vineyard health management kept the grapes in sound condition. Temperatures then rose abruptly in August, reaching 37–40°C and rapidly accelerating a ripening cycle that had previously advanced slowly and steadily. The heat shifted the vintage away from an initially expected cool, delicate profile toward fuller ripeness, greater robustness and intense fruit aromas.
2022
The published tasting carried a 2023–2025 drinking window and a score of 16.5 points from JancisRobinson.com. A separate estate-hosted catalogue records GB 90 points.
Label / history
“Sancaba” abbreviates San Casciano dei Bagni. Carlo Franchetti acquired land there in 2011 and found an existing Pinot Nero vineyard. Experimental home vinification began in 2012, Sancaba followed in 2013, and Vini Franchetti was formed in 2014 by Carlo and Andrea Franchetti. New high-density vineyards entered production in 2017.