(SAN GIMIGNANO – SIENA) Mormoraia produces wines in San Gimignano, in the province of Siena, Tuscany. Of particular interest are the elegant white wines made from Vernaccia di San Gimignano, as well as the red wines such as ‘Trochus’ Chianti Colli Senesi, ‘Yulus’ Syrah, the Bordeaux-style blend ‘Mytilus’, and many others.
The History of Mormoraia Wines
Mormoraia produces wines in San Gimignano, in the province of Siena, Tuscany. The view here is dominated by the medieval village of San Gimignano, surrounded by the gentle Tuscan hills adorned with vineyards, olive trees, and cypresses of the Val d’Elsa.
As is well known, the most beautiful places are often also the most suited for wine production. And it is indeed here that, in 1980, Milanese entrepreneur Giuseppe Passoni and his wife Franca decided to restore the ancient 18th-century convent ‘La Mormoraia’, recovering the estate’s vineyards to produce traditional Tuscan wines.
In particular, Vernaccia di San Gimignano: the first white wine to receive DOC certification in 1966, with a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, when it was highly sought after to enliven the banquets of the Medici family.
In 1995, the Passoni family began their hospitality business (Bed & Breakfast) and inaugurated the first Mormoraia winery. Since 2012, the company has been led by their son Alessandro. In 2016, wine production became organic, and the Bed & Breakfast evolved into an elegant agriturismo with a refined restaurant, where guests can enjoy traditional Tuscan cuisine and take part in experiences such as cooking classes and truffle hunting.
Hospitality at Mormoraia
Located just 4 km from San Gimignano, Agriturismo Mormoraia offers 28 finely furnished rooms in Tuscan style, ensuring both comfort and privacy. The property features an outdoor swimming pool with hot tub, a wellness area with sauna, Turkish bath, and jacuzzi, a wine bar, and a traditional restaurant.
The generous breakfast includes local products and delicious homemade cakes prepared by the skilled chefs of Mormoraia. In addition to wines, Mormoraia also produces extra virgin olive oil.
Mormoraia offers a wide range of unforgettable experiences, including wine and olive oil tastings, cooking classes, and truffle hunting. The restaurant serves traditional Tuscan cuisine, which can be enjoyed on the large terrace overlooking San Gimignano.
Located just 50 minutes from Siena and Florence, the property also offers a taxi service upon request.
Ristorante il Fienile
Il Fienile Restaurant offers an atmosphere that blends traditional Tuscan cuisine with more modern interpretations. The main dining room, featuring an open fireplace, creates a warm and relaxing ambiance, while the panoramic terrace, enhanced by a grill/barbecue area and a view of San Gimignano, is one of the restaurant’s most charming spaces.
Il Fienile’s menu reinterprets classic Tuscan dishes, using local ingredients that enhance their authentic flavors. Every dish is thoughtfully designed to pair perfectly with Mormoraia wines.
Terroir of Mormoraia Wines
The wines of Mormoraia are born from 30 hectares of vineyards, planted with both native varieties, such as Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Sangiovese, and international grapes like Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.
The vineyards benefit from the typical subsoils of San Gimignano, of marine origin dating back to the Pliocene epoch, which make the soil particularly rich in mineral micronutrients, composed of layers of clay, sand, and fossilized seashells.
These conditions are ideal for imparting great savoriness, depth, and complexity to Mormoraia’s wines, which often echo iodized and saline sensations. The hilly altitudes, ranging between 300 and 350 meters, foster significant diurnal temperature variation, which is crucial for the finesse and aromatic expression of the grapes.
Philosophy of Mormoraia Wines
Respect for the environment and biodiversity are certainly two fundamental elements in the production of Mormoraia wines, which in fact boasts an entirely certified organic production.
The use of oak barrels aims to enhance, not mask, the varietal character of the vines—a decidedly modern approach.
Furthermore, the adoption of cold maceration, aging on fine lees, and temperature-controlled fermentations are employed by Mormoraia to maximize and preserve the expressive potential and clarity of the varietal aromas.
Good planting density, quality viticulture, low yields in the vineyard, and rigorous manual selection are additional choices skillfully undertaken to bring only the best perfectly ripe grapes to the cellar.
These are essential prerequisites for producing wines without the need for invasive corrective interventions during the winemaking process, allowing the grape to serve as a sincere narrator of its terroir, reflecting its specific pedoclimatic conditions and varying vintages.
Wines of Mormoraia
The production of Mormoraia wines is based on both indigenous grape varieties, such as Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Sangiovese, and international ones, including Syrah (made in purezza), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot (blended together).
Among the most representative products are the Vernaccia di San Gimignano ‘Ostrea’ and ‘Suavis’, but especially the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva ‘Antalis’, the flagship wine of the production, made from the most suitable vineyards of the estate.
The Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva ‘Antalis’ is a complex wine, of rare elegance, with excellent aging potential. On the nose, it stands out for its eloquent aromas of exotic fruits and sea breeze, enriched by sweet spices from aging in first and second pass barriques, perfectly integrated.
Among the red wines of Mormoraia, the Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva ‘Trochus’ stands out, made from Sangiovese and complementary varieties, aged in large barrels. It is a fresh and linear interpretation of Chianti, with delicate tannins and floral notes of small red fruits, enhanced by subtle oaky nuances. It pairs perfectly with Tuscan cured meats and cheeses.
Also of great interest is the Syrah ‘Yulus’, characterized by its impenetrable color and the typical spicy notes of the Rhône Valley grape. A wine that combines drinkability and structure, proving to be an excellent choice at the table.
The Mormoraia wine range also includes Bordeaux-style blends made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, a rosé from Sangiovese, Merlot, and Syrah, as well as a pure Sangiovese IGT.
All Mormoraia wines are characterized by olfactory finesse, sapidity, and richness on the palate, confirming the great expressive potential of the San Gimignano terroir.
Information & Contacts – Mormoraia
Address: Località S. Andrea, 53037 San Gimignano SI
Phone: +39 0577 940096
Website: www.mormoraia.it
Agriturismo & Rooms: www.wbhotel.it/mormoraia-booking
Email: info@mormoraia.it
Tasting at the Winery: YES, guided tours with the option to have lunch at the restaurant
Direct Sale: YES
