The Santa Cristina Estate belongs to the historic Marchesi Antinori family, one of the most renowned wine producers in Italy. The Antinori family’s involvement in winemaking dates back to 1385, making it one of the oldest continuously active wine families in the world. Over more than six centuries, the family has played an important role in shaping Italian wine culture and has produced some of the most influential wines of Tuscany.
The Santa Cristina project was created in 1946 by Marchese Niccolò Antinori with the aim of producing a high-quality Tuscan wine that reflects the character of the region while remaining approachable and widely appreciated. Over time, Santa Cristina developed into a distinct wine range within the Antinori portfolio and today includes several wines sourced from different Tuscan wine-growing areas.
The red wines are primarily based on Sangiovese, the most important grape variety of Tuscany. Sangiovese provides structure, freshness and the characteristic cherry notes that define many Tuscan wines. In several wines it is complemented by international varieties such as Merlot and Syrah, which contribute additional body, fruit intensity and aromatic complexity.
Alongside the red wines, Santa Cristina also produces white wines made from traditional Central Italian grape varieties. These include Grechetto, Malvasia and Trebbiano, grapes that have been cultivated in Tuscany and Umbria for centuries. Trebbiano and Malvasia are also historically used in the production of Vin Santo, one of Tuscany’s traditional dessert wines.
The philosophy of Santa Cristina focuses on producing wines that reflect the diversity of the Tuscan wine landscape. Modern winemaking techniques are combined with traditional grape varieties to create balanced and expressive wines. Today Santa Cristina represents one of the most recognised wine ranges within the Antinori family and continues to reflect the style and heritage of Tuscan viticulture.