On a hilltop above the village of San Miniato, between Florence and Pisa and along the old Via Francigena pilgrim route, the Cosimo Maria Masini estate gathers centuries of history under one roof. Its heart is the ancient Villa la Selva, with a cellar built in the nineteenth century by the famed agronomist Marchese Cosimo Ridolfi, on land first developed by the Medici and once owned by the Bonaparte family.
The Region
The property lies in San Miniato, in the province of Pisa in Tuscany, in hills long associated with both wine and white truffles. The estate spans roughly 40 hectares, including about 15 hectares of vineyard and nearly seven of olive groves.
Vineyards & Farming
The estate has been farmed organically since it was purchased, certified by CCPB, and converted to biodynamics, certified by Demeter. The vines are tended by agronomist Francesco De Filippis, who joined the family in 2012, became a co-owner, and holds a PhD in agricultural science focused on how soil vitality shapes grape and wine quality. Plantings include indigenous Tuscan varieties: Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano, Vermentino, and the rare Sanforte.
Winemaking
Vinification is kept as natural as possible. Fermentation is spontaneous, with no selected yeasts, additives, or nutrients, taking place in small open basins, and the grapes are hand-pressed to minimize mechanical intervention. Only the smallest amount of sulfites is used at bottling.
The Wines
The wines, including the skin-contact white Sincero, are honest expressions of native Tuscan grapes grown biodynamically and made with a light hand, reflecting both the estate's storied site and De Filippis's belief that healthy living soil is the source of quality.
