Few wines capture Tuscany’s essence like Brunello di Montalcino, and few estates embody its heritage like Il Poggione. In this episode, winemaker Alessandro Bindocci joins Billy Galanko to explore what makes this corner of southern Tuscany one of the most fascinating wine regions on earth.
From four generations of family stewardship to the estate’s modern sustainability drive, Alessandro takes us inside Il Poggione’s vineyards and cellars to reveal how classic Sangiovese becomes one of Italy’s most age-worthy wines. We unpack everything from clonal selection, elevation, and soil types to submerged-cap fermentation, large oak aging, and the fine line between structure and elegance that defines great Brunello.
Billy also shares new updates on the future of the Vint Wine Podcast, including an upcoming rebrand, a dedicated website, and expanded YouTube content featuring winemakers, critics, and regions shaping today’s global wine culture.
What you’ll learn
- How Il Poggione preserves a century-old Brunello identity while embracing organic certification and solar-powered sustainability.
- Why Montalcino’s Mount Amiata, Tyrrhenian breezes, and forest biodiversity are critical to balance and longevity.
- The impact of submerged-cap fermentation on tannin refinement and color depth.
- How large French oak casks (3,000–5,000 L) keep Sangiovese pure, while selective barrique aging adds finesse.
- Vintage takeaways: 2019 classic and firm, 2020 open-knit and supple, 2025 shaping up as a potential benchmark year.
- A tasting roadmap through Il Poggione’s range, from Rosato Toscana to the iconic BdM Riserva Vigna Paganelli.
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to the Vint Wine Podcast
00:55 Exciting Podcast Updates
02:04 Meet Alessandro Bindocci of Il Poggione
02:42 Exploring Il Poggione’s Wine Range
08:16 A Family Legacy in Winemaking
13:40 The Unique Terroir of Montalcino
19:57 Organic and Sustainable Practices
25:22 Innovation and Winemaking Philosophy
27:57 Submerged-Cap Fermentation Explained
30:22 The Role of Oak in Aging
32:40 Indigenous Yeast and Fermentation
33:56 Vintage Deep Dive: 2019, 2020, and 2025
41:11 Rosso vs. Toscana — Two Expressions of Sangiovese
47:42 The Evolution and Future of Il Poggione
50:42 Closing Thoughts and Cheers
The Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email billy@sommeliermedia.com.
Cheers!
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