Meet the Wine Makers of Tuscany | Platinum Magazine

One of the best times to visit Tuscany is April. The landscape is at its greenest, spring has arrived, vineyards come back to life and wildflowers carpet the hills. It is picture-postcard perfect.

Days are warm rather than hot (15–20°C), ideal for walking, cycling, wine tasting and enjoying spring food such as asparagus, artichokes, fresh cheeses like Pecorino di Pienza, local olive oil and crisp salads.

On a recent trip I stayed in Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, olive groves and wheat fields – exactly how Tuscany is imagined. 

One of the highlights is the natural thermal spas that can be found in this area. I stayed at Hotel La Posta, part of the Bagno Vignoni spa complex. The water, rich in minerals and heated naturally to around 40°C, is known for its benefits for skin and bones. Bathing there, watching steam rise as the light changes from dawn to dusk, is truly magical. 

The area is surrounded by beautiful hill towns such as Montalcino and Pienza, and on this particular trip I visited two female winemakers who left a strong impression on me. 

Tuscany is famous for red wine and bistecca, and while I have a recommendation for Brunello – a powerful red wine designed for ageing – the region has much more to offer.  

Increasingly, winemakers are producing lighter, more approachable styles of red wine that do not require long ageing. This reflects a more modern, flexible way of working, with wines that are fresher, expressive of place, and ready to drink. It is very much in line with what the UK market is asking for - and these two female winemakers are absolutely delivering on that front. 

Giulitta Zamperini – Poggio Grande, Orcia DOC 

Firstly, Giulitta Zamperini. She is young (35), hugely talented, and the current president of Val d’Orcia (Orcia DOC), an appellation established in 2000. I met her at her family winery, Poggio Grande, just a 10-minute drive from Hotel La Posta. She is currently looking for a UK importer. 

This is her second term as president of the consorzio, an important and demanding role. Orcia’s vineyards sit alongside famous neighbours such as Montalcino and Montepulciano, yet the name Orcia remains relatively unknown. It is one of Tuscany’s youngest DOCs, officially recognised as a distinct and special part of the region’s tapestry, with around 41 producers. 

Giulitta’s ambition is to build the reputation and visibility of Orcia wines. Notably, over 30% of producers in the appellation are women, and previous presidents of the consorzio have also been women – there has only ever been one male president.

She began working in the family vineyards at 20 and represents the fifth generation at Poggio Grande. She studied chemistry at university and became a mother at 19.

When asked about becoming president, she admitted she was initially scared. “Usually they are older and men,” she said. “But the winemakers of Orcia believed in me and wanted me to become president.” 

What inspires her most is her family – her father and grandfather, representing three generations with different philosophies and the land itself. The sunsets in front of the winery, the landscape and the beauty of Val d’Orcia continue to motivate her. It is also one of Tuscany’s most touristic areas and a wonderful place to visit “a corner of heaven,” as she describes it. 

Asked what advice she would give her younger self, Giulitta said she used to be afraid in a male-dominated world. “I thought I couldn’t drive the tractor, it was too scary.” Now she knows she can do everything men can do, works confidently with people and loves her role. 

A day in her life varies hugely. Spring is about cleaning vineyards and bottling wine, delivering wines to restaurants, labelling bottles and hosting tastings. “My job is everything,” she says. “Everybody is involved.” 

In my opinion, Orcia DOC is a hidden gem. It offers fresher, modern, approachable red wines with altitude helping to mitigate climate change, all without the price tag of more famous neighbours. Orcia is a name to look for. 

Patrizia Cencioni – Brunello di Montalcino 

A 20-minute drive away, I met Patrizia Cencioni of Brunello di Montalcino. Her tasting room was buzzing with life, customers buying wine directly, groups tasting, and women moving confidently around the space. The winery is alive with energy, as is Patrizia herself. It is well worth visiting, and her two daughters will welcome you warmly. In total, the winery employs nine women and one man. 

Patrizia always knew she wanted to make wine. But in 1990 her father died, and the estate had to be divided between her and her cousins. This loss made her question everything. It was her great uncle who believed in her, giving her courage and support. She continues to push herself every year, always looking to improve, innovate and evolve. 

If she is not sipping her beloved Brunello, she enjoys Barolo and is curious about Pecorino from Abruzzo. 

Asked what advice she would give her younger self, she answered simply: do everything again, without fear of making mistakes, because mistakes are how you learn. She would also make more time for herself and her family. “It is always difficult to divide time,” she says. “My whole life has been work.” 

When she began winemaking in the early 1990s, aged 20, there were already six or seven female-owned wineries in Montalcino. She views the wine world positively and believes it has a bright future. 

She never expected her children to follow her path, but six years ago her two daughters chose to join the business. Annalisa manages administration and exports; Arianna focuses on hospitality. “They are the oxygen of the winery,” Patrizia says. Each year she sets them goals to achieve. 

Looking ahead, Patrizia sees the biggest challenge as changing consumer habits: people are drinking less, but seeking better quality. “Our challenge,” she says, “is always to be the best version of ourselves.” 

Podere Forte, Orcia, Villaggio 2021  

Pure, elegant, juicy, silky tannins that makes this wine very drinkable. This is pure Sangiovese and minus the oak, allowing the fruit to shine. Look for red and blue fruits, go on and pour yourself a glass, without over thinking what to pair with it. Everyone will love this and don’t hold back - drink today.  

Patrizia Cencioni – Brunello 2020 

Cherry, violet and espresso notes. Elegant, beautifully balanced, with good length.  

Pair with steak and salad, or risotto. Or simply enjoy it now in front of the fire with cheese. Her entire soul is in this wine.

Ideally, she would drink this in 4–5 years.