The Arches of Tuscany

The story of Azienda Agricola Gli Archi is a story of family, of land, and of a passion for winemaking that has been cultivated over many years in the rolling hills of Fauglia, in the province of Pisa, Tuscany. The estate is located in Poggio alla Farnia — a place of extraordinary beauty where vineyards, olive groves, and gardens frame a restored 19th-century manor house that serves as both the family home and the heart of the winery. It is a landscape that embodies the authentic spirit of Tuscany — cypress-lined roads, ancient stone walls, rows of vines stretching toward the horizon, and the distant shimmer of the Mediterranean Sea.

The name "Gli Archi" — "The Arches" — evokes the architectural beauty of the estate's historic buildings, where stone arches frame views of the countryside and create cool, shaded spaces that have sheltered generations of farmers. The manor house, dating from the 19th century, has been lovingly restored by the family, preserving its original character while adapting it to the needs of a modern organic winery and agriturismo. It is a place where history and contemporary life coexist — where the old wine cellar, with its vaulted ceilings and ancient barrels, sits alongside modern tasting rooms and comfortable apartments for guests.

The family behind Gli Archi has built the estate's reputation on organic, low-intervention practices, cultivating both red and white varietals native to Tuscany alongside carefully selected international varieties that have adapted to the local terroir. Their work is driven by a simple yet profound philosophy: to produce wines that are true expressions of their land, while welcoming wine lovers into the everyday life of a Tuscan winery. This is not merely a business; it is a way of life — a commitment to sustainability, manual care in the vineyards, and respect for the rhythms of nature. The family tends their own vines, harvests their own grapes, makes their own wine, and hosts their own guests — creating a tight symbiosis between producer, product, and consumer that is increasingly rare in the modern wine world.

Today, Gli Archi has become recognized beyond Italy through partnerships with platforms like OnWine and international masterclasses, connecting their corner of Tuscany to wine enthusiasts around the world. Yet despite this growing recognition, the family remains rooted in the traditions and values that have defined their work from the beginning — authenticity, hospitality, and an unwavering commitment to quality. The estate is a member of the Pisan Hills Wine Road — "Strada del Vino Colli Pisani" — a network of wineries that promotes the enotourism and agricultural heritage of the Pisan hills. Through this network, Gli Archi opens its doors to visitors from around the world, offering guided tours, tastings, and immersive experiences that reveal the beauty and complexity of Tuscan winemaking.

At Azienda Agricola Gli Archi, the cellar philosophy is one of respect for tradition combined with a willingness to explore new expressions — a balance between the time-honored methods of Tuscan winemaking and the creative freedom to experiment with varieties and techniques that reveal new facets of the Pisan Hills terroir. The family believes that the wines are proof of their relation with the tradition of the Tuscan land, together with their ability and will to constantly improve their work — also trying the road of the white wine. This dual commitment — to heritage and to evolution — defines everything they do in the cellar. The techniques are precise, thoughtful, and deeply personal, shaped by years of experience and a continuous dialogue between the vineyard and the vat.

The techniques are traditional yet forward-looking, shaped by the family's commitment to organic, low-intervention winemaking:

"Chianti" DOCG — The Tuscan Classic: The Chianti is Gli Archi's most celebrated wine — the flagship red that embodies the essence of Tuscan winemaking tradition and the family's dedication to quality. Made from Sangiovese with traditional blending varieties Canaiolo and Colorino, it is a wine of extraordinary balance, elegance, and food-friendly charm that has earned its place among the great wines of the region. The grapes come from the estate's organic vineyards in Poggio alla Farnia, hand-harvested at optimal ripeness and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The maceration is carefully managed to extract color and tannin without overpowering the wine's natural freshness. The wine is then aged in a combination of large oak casks and barriques for 12–18 months, followed by bottle ageing before release. The result is a Chianti of remarkable purity and expression: ruby-garnet in color, with a nose of cherry, plum, violet, leather, and a distinct earthy, mineral undertone. The palate is medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, fine tannins, and a long, savory finish that evolves from fresh fruit to spice and tobacco. It is the ultimate Tuscan table wine — perfect with pasta, grilled meats, aged Pecorino, or simply with good bread and olive oil. Serve at 16–18°C. 5–8 years ageing potential. ~$18–$26 / ~€16–€23.

"Chiara" — The Sangiovese IGT: The Chiara is Gli Archi's expression of 100% Sangiovese — a wine that captures the variety's bright fruit, lively acidity, and earthy charm in a more immediate, approachable form. Named with a feminine grace that evokes the wine's elegant character, it is a Sangiovese of pure expression, unblended and unadorned, that speaks directly of the Pisan Hills terroir. The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The maceration is brief, preserving the variety's natural freshness and preventing excessive extraction. The wine is aged primarily in stainless steel with a brief period in large oak to add subtle complexity without masking the primary fruit. In the glass, it is ruby-red with a gentle haze. The nose offers fresh cherry, wild strawberry, rose petal, and a hint of Mediterranean herbs and earth. The palate is light to medium-bodied, with lively acidity, soft tannins, and a clean, fruity, slightly savory finish. It is a versatile, everyday wine — perfect with pizza, pasta, or light meats. Serve at 14–16°C. ~$14–$20 / ~€12–€18.

"La Merla" — The Viognier: The La Merla is Gli Archi's most distinctive and surprising white — a Viognier of extraordinary aromatic intensity, textural richness, and Mediterranean warmth that proves international varieties can find a profound expression in the Tuscan terroir. Named "The Blackbird" — perhaps for the dark, mysterious depth of its aromas — it is a wine that challenges expectations and expands the boundaries of what Tuscan white wine can be. The grapes are hand-harvested from the estate's vineyards, gently pressed, and fermented with indigenous yeasts at cool temperatures to preserve the variety's explosive aromatics. The wine is aged on its lees in stainless steel, developing texture, complexity, and a distinct savory depth. In the glass, it is deep golden. The nose is an explosion of aromas: apricot, peach, honeysuckle, orange blossom, ginger, and a distinct mineral, almost smoky undertone. The palate is full-bodied and unctuous, with a silky texture, vibrant acidity, and a long, layered finish that evolves from stone fruit to honeyed, spicy complexity. It is a wine of both immediate pleasure and profound depth — perfect with rich seafood, creamy pasta, or aromatic Asian cuisine. Serve at 10–12°C. ~$20–$28 / ~€18–€25.

"Grillaio" — The Vermentino: The Grillaio is Gli Archi's Vermentino — a white wine of crystalline purity, saline freshness, and Mediterranean character that captures the coastal soul of the Pisan hills. Named after the "cricket" — perhaps for the wine's lively, chirping freshness — it is a wine of bright acidity, citrus zest, and sea-breeze minerality that is the perfect expression of Vermentino in its natural state. The grapes are hand-harvested, gently pressed, and fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel. The wine is aged on its lees for several months, developing subtle texture and complexity while retaining its primary freshness. In the glass, it is pale straw with greenish reflections. The nose offers lemon zest, green apple, white peach, almond, white flowers, and a distinct saline minerality. The palate is crisp, light to medium-bodied, with vibrant acidity, a slightly textured mouthfeel, and a long, clean, mineral finish. It is the ultimate summer white — perfect with oysters, grilled fish, or simply in the sun. Serve well chilled at 8–10°C. ~$14–$20 / ~€12–€18.

"Naturae" — The Natural Red: The Naturae is Gli Archi's natural wine — a red made with minimal intervention, indigenous yeasts, and no additives, that represents the family's commitment to the natural wine movement and their belief that great wine can be made with nothing more than grapes, time, and patience. It is a wine of rustic charm, wild character, and authentic expression that speaks of the vineyard in its most unadorned form. The blend varies by vintage but is typically based on Sangiovese with small amounts of Canaiolo and Colorino. The grapes are hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented with indigenous yeasts. The maceration is long but gentle, extracting color and tannin while preserving the wine's natural freshness. The wine is aged in old oak barrels or amphorae and bottled unfiltered, with no added sulfur. In the glass, it is ruby-purple with a gentle haze. The nose offers wild cherry, plum, earth, herbs, and a hint of barnyard — the unmistakable signature of natural wine. The palate is medium-bodied, with lively acidity, soft tannins, and a long, savory, slightly rustic finish. It is a wine of the table — perfect with charcuterie, aged cheeses, or hearty pasta. Serve at 14–16°C. ~$16–$24 / ~€14–€22.

"Sorciato" — The Reserve: The Sorciato is Gli Archi's reserve red — a wine of extraordinary depth, concentration, and ageing potential that represents the pinnacle of the family's work with Sangiovese and the traditional varieties of Tuscany. Named with a local term that evokes the wisdom of the elders, it is a wine made from the estate's oldest and most carefully selected vines, fermented and aged with the patience and respect that great wine demands. The grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and subjected to a long maceration that extracts the full depth of color, tannin, and phenolic compounds. The wine is then aged for 18–24 months in French oak barriques and large casks, followed by extended bottle ageing before release. In the glass, it is deep ruby-garnet. The nose offers black cherry, plum, blackberry, violet, leather, tobacco, and a distinct earthy, mineral undertone. The palate is full-bodied, with firm yet elegant tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, layered finish that evolves for minutes. It is a wine for special occasions, for contemplation, for pairing with the finest dishes. Serve at 18°C after decanting. 8–12 years ageing potential. ~$24–$34 / ~€22–€30.

"Vermouth" — The Botanical Elixir: Gli Archi also produces a house vermouth — a botanical wine that bridges the worlds of viticulture and mixology, of tradition and contemporary drinking culture. Made from a base of the estate's own white wine, infused with a secret blend of local herbs, roots, and botanicals, it is a vermouth of remarkable complexity and regional character. The botanicals are foraged from the estate's gardens and the surrounding hills — wild herbs, citrus peel, wormwood, and other aromatic plants that have grown in Tuscany for centuries. The result is a vermouth of extraordinary depth: amber in color, with a nose of herbs, citrus, spice, and a distinct winey backbone. The palate is rich, bitter-sweet, and complex, with a long, herbal finish that invites another sip. It is perfect as an aperitif, in cocktails, or simply over ice with a twist of orange. Serve chilled or over ice. ~$18–$26 / ~€16–€23.

"Grappa" — The Spirit of the Grape: Gli Archi produces a grappa — the traditional Italian spirit distilled from the pomace left after pressing the grapes. It is a grappa of remarkable purity and elegance, distilled with care and aged to develop a smooth, complex character that belies its rustic origins. The pomace comes from the estate's own grapes — Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino — and is distilled in a traditional copper still, preserving the aromatic essence of the varieties. The result is a grappa of crystalline clarity and surprising finesse: clear in color, with a nose of fresh grape, white flowers, and a hint of almond. The palate is smooth, warm, and persistent, with a clean, elegant finish. It is the perfect digestif — served neat, at room temperature, after a meal. ~$20–$28 / ~€18–€25.

"Extra-Virgin Olive Oil" — The Liquid Gold: In addition to wine, Gli Archi produces extra-virgin olive oil from the estate's own olive groves — a golden, peppery oil that is the essential companion to Tuscan cuisine and a testament to the family's commitment to the full agricultural heritage of their land. The olives are hand-harvested and cold-pressed within hours, preserving their freshness, aroma, and nutritional properties. The result is an oil of extraordinary quality: deep green-gold in color, with a nose of fresh grass, artichoke, almond, and a hint of pepper. The palate is rich, fruity, and slightly spicy, with a long, clean finish. It is perfect for drizzling over bread, salads, grilled vegetables, or simply for dipping with a pinch of salt. ~$18–$26 / ~€16–€23 per 500ml.

Vessels & Ageing: Gli Archi works with a varied arsenal of vessels — stainless steel tanks for the fresher whites like Grillaio and the immediate reds like Chiara; large oak casks and barriques for the Chianti and the Sorciato reserve; old oak barrels and amphorae for the Naturae natural wine; and stainless steel with lees contact for the Viognier La Merla. The choice of vessel is always deliberate, always in service of the wine's natural expression. Stainless steel preserves freshness and primary fruit. Oak adds subtle complexity, softens tannins, and develops depth. Amphorae and old wood allow for gentle micro-oxygenation without introducing new wood flavors. All wines are made with indigenous yeasts, minimal sulfur, and a focus on preserving the authentic flavors of the Pisan Hills terroir.