Two Women. Two Tuscan Wine Stories | A Journey Through Val d’Orcia & Montalcino

One of the things I’ve learnt travelling through Tuscany is that the most interesting stories are rarely the loudest ones.They sit slightly to the side.Just beyond the well-known names.

In Val d’Orcia, between Brunello di Montalcino and Montepulciano, that’s exactly where I found them.

This part of southern Tuscany is everything you imagine it to be, rolling hills, cypress-lined roads, soft winter light, but it’s also where a quieter shift is happening.Less about prestige.More about evolution.And, increasingly, shaped by women.

Giulitta Zamperini — Orcia DOC

The first person I met was Giulitta Zamperini.She is 35, a fifth-generation winemaker, and the current president of Orcia DOC — one of Tuscany’s youngest and most under-the-radar regions.

Orcia sits quietly between its famous neighbours, but stylistically, it feels different.The vineyards are higher.The wines are fresher.Sangiovese here has brightness, energy, and a kind of ease that makes it immediately drinkable.

There’s also something else that stood out.Over 30% of producers in Orcia DOC are women.And leadership at the top of the appellation has often been female.

That’s not common in Italian wine.

Giulitta’s story reflects that shift.She studied chemistry, became a mother at 19, and stepped into a role that is traditionally held by older men. When she first spoke about becoming president, she admitted she was scared.

“Usually they are older and men.”

But the region backed her.Now, she leads it.

What I found most compelling wasn’t just her position, but her perspective. There’s a sense that Orcia is still being defined — and that gives her, and others, space to shape it properly.

My take: Orcia DOC is one of the most exciting places to discover Sangiovese in Tuscany right now. It’s fresher, more accessible, and still offers real value. A region to know before it becomes widely recognised.

Patrizia Cencioni — Brunello di Montalcino A short drive away, the landscape changes slightly, and so does the story.

Patrizia Cencioni is based in Montalcino, home of one of Italy’s most recognised wines.

Her tasting room was full when I arrived.People buying bottles. Conversations happening. A real sense of energy.

And what struck me immediately was the team.Nine women. One man.

Patrizia took over the winery at 20, after the death of her father. It was a moment that could have taken her in a different direction entirely. She told me she nearly stepped away from wine.

It was her great-uncle who encouraged her to continue. She did.

Today, her daughters are part of the business — one leading exports, the other hospitality.

“They are the oxygen of the winery,” she said.

There’s something very grounding about how she speaks. No overcomplication. No performance.Just a clear sense of responsibility, to the land, to the wines, and to the next generation.

Her advice to her younger self was simple: Do everything again. Don’t be afraid of mistakes.

My take: This is Brunello with depth and restraint. Structured, elegant, and quietly powerful. A reminder that behind some of Italy’s most prestigious wines are stories of resilience, not just reputation.

What to drink

If you want to understand these two styles at home, start here:

Podere Forte — Orcia Villaggio 2021 (Orcia DOC)Pure Sangiovese, no heavy oak. Juicy red fruit, bright acidity, and a softness that makes it incredibly easy to drink. This is the style that makes Orcia so appealing.

Patrizia Cencioni — Brunello di Montalcino 2020Classic Brunello. Cherry, violet, a touch of espresso. Balanced, structured, and built to evolve — but still generous enough to enjoy now.

Why this trip stayed with me

Tuscany will always be known for its iconic wines.But what stayed with me from this trip wasn’t the big names.

It was the people shaping what comes next.

Two women.Two different paths.Both quietly influencing the future of Tuscan wine.

Because when you look beyond the label — and beyond the reputation — you start to see where things are actually moving.

And right now, that movement feels thoughtful, grounded, and increasingly female-led. Read my article for Platinum Magazine: Meet the Wine Makers of Tuscany Elizabeth Hawthornthewaite