In the heart of the Maremma Tuscany, the small village of Pitigliano shines like a wine gem, where millennia-old history blends with the tuff-rich territory, shaping wines that tell a unique and captivating story. The historical roots of Pitigliano sink deep into Etruscan antiquity when the Etruscans chose to cultivate vines in the tuff terraces, paving the way for the wine tradition that still persists today. The medieval streets of Pitigliano narrate tales of noble families, trade with the Florentines, and a wine culture deeply rooted in the landscape itself.
The historical roots of Pitigliano go back to Etruscan antiquity, when the Etruscans chose to cultivate vines on the tuff terraces.
Tuff, a volcanic rock, is the silent guardian of the history of the land. This porous rock, rich in minerals, defines the terroir, giving the vineyards of Pitigliano a distinctive signature. The vines sink their roots deeply into this soil, and tuff helps create wines with a unique character. The land of Pitigliano imparts a distinctive personality to the wines of the region, characterized by minerality, aromatic complexity, and a structure that reflects the unique conditions of the terroir. These elements contribute to making the wines of Pitigliano captivating and memorable for lovers of the nectar of Bacchus.
The Ciliegiolo grape variety is their flagship, which in its simplest and perhaps most typical version expresses fragrance, crispness, and drinkability galore.
The tuff reveals all its greatness in the wines of the Sassotondo farm. Edoardo and Carla left their jobs in Rome in 1990, worn out by city life, and arrived at this piece of land. The soil was uncultivated, with a poorly maintained house and only one hectare of vineyard, but what mattered was the passion, the will, and the love for working the land and the world of wine. In just seven years, they managed to have their first harvest, their first bottle. Even in the cellar, tuff is the main material: the vineyards are planted in tuff, the houses are made of tuff, the cellar is dug into the tuff, and the Sassotondo, the symbol of their company, is made of tuff: it stands amid a field, rounded by time.
Edoardo and Carla have carefully analyzed all the subtle nuances of their estate, exemplarily enhancing not only the relationship between vine and soil but also the eco-sustainability of the crops, which are now certified organic with biodynamic interventions. In parallel, they have also played with the structure of the wines, no longer using small barrels but large ones with the intent to produce a wine with a straight, straightforward, and characteristic style. The Ciliegiolo grape is their pride and joy, which in its simplest, and perhaps most typical, version expresses fragrance, crunchiness, and drinkability galore.
From this vineyard comes the most opulent version of Ciliegiolo.
This grape variety is also dedicated to their best vineyard, the San Lorenzo vineyard, which enjoys a breathtaking view: the skyline of the village of Pitigliano nestled in the hill. Pure joy. From this vineyard comes the most opulent version of Ciliegiolo, which is the splendid cru of a winery that has chosen to bet everything on the native grape variety unjustly considered minor. Even after more than two years in wood, it remains a lively and dynamic wine, but with a sip of such elegance and sapidity that it does not leave one surprised by the important recognitions received. Not to mention the new entry at Sassotondo, called Poggio Pinzo, always based on Ciliegiolo but fermented in amphora, the rest of the production focuses on the great white of the area: Isolina, a white wine from Pitigliano DOC, incredibly nuanced and varied, broad, savory, minerally, and with enveloping persistence.
The wines of Sassotondo, carved from tuff and rooted in history, offer a sensory journey that goes beyond simply sipping a glass. They invite you to discover the unbreakable bond between ancient stone and the nectar flowing in the bottles, revealing the secrets of a territory that has preserved its charm through the centuries. Genuine, regional, and sincere wines.
The city is often called "Little Jerusalem" due to the strong presence of a Jewish community.
Through the streets of the village, many little shops of craftsmanship and typical products, such as the traditional sweets of the Jewish culture, which bring to mind ancient traditions and events of the past.
Pitigliano is known for its strong connection with Jewish culture. The city is often called "Little Jerusalem" due to the deep-rooted presence of a significant Jewish community throughout history. In the 16th century, Jews came to Pitigliano seeking refuge from persecution. They found welcome and protection under the lordship of Count Niccolò IV Orsini, who encouraged the settlement of the Jewish community in his territory. Traces of this presence can still be found in the local cuisine with the sweet known as "Sfratti di Pitigliano"; a traditional Jewish dessert associated with the festival of Hanukkah.
The Sfratti are elongated cylindrical biscuits filled with a sweet mixture based on nuts, honey, sugar, and spices like cinnamon. The elongated and pointed shape of the sfratti is often symbolically associated with an arrow or a stick, a shape that recalls the historical events linked to the festival of Hanukkah, which commemorates the Maccabees' revolt against the Seleucid King Antiochus IV, occurring in the 2nd century BC.
We have organized your visit to Pitigliano: lose yourself among the streets of Pitigliano trying the sfratti and then in the early afternoon go say hello to Edoardo and Carla at the Sassotondo winery tasting their wines directly in the San Lorenzo vineyard watching the sunset that falls right on the village of Pitigliano: what more could you want?
