Il Paluffo

Luca & Liana Innocenti — Tuscany

Il Paluffo is a unique natural wine project in Tuscany that is an integral part of a larger eco-lodge and historic estate. The estate, a restored 15th-century building, is owned and run by Luca and Liana Innocenti, who have a deep commitment to sustainability and a zero-impact philosophy. While Il Paluffo is also an agriturismo and a place for hospitality, their winemaking is a serious and uncompromising pursuit that is gaining recognition in the natural wine world.

A Philosophy of Sustainability and Purity

The philosophy at Il Paluffo is a holistic one, where the health of the land is paramount and every step of the process, from farming to winemaking, is guided by a respect for nature.

  • Organic & Biodynamic Farming: The vineyards are farmed organically, with a focus on preserving biodiversity and the ecosystem. They follow a philosophy that is very close to biodynamic principles, avoiding all chemical inputs.

  • Low Intervention: In the cellar, their approach is non-interventionist. They use native yeasts for fermentation and employ minimal handling of the wine.

  • Minimal Sulfur: They produce wines with minimal amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO2​), with some of their cuvées having very low levels.

The Vineyards and Terroir

The vineyards are located in the heart of Tuscany, a region known for its rolling hills and a unique microclimate.

  • Location: The estate is in Certaldo, in the Chianti region of Tuscany.

  • Vineyard Area: A small part of the 6-hectare estate is dedicated to vineyards.

  • Grape Varieties: They work with classic Tuscan grapes, primarily Sangiovese for their reds and Trebbiano for their whites.

  • Soils & Climate: The terroir is a mix of different soil compositions, and the high sun exposure is balanced by their careful management of the vines.

Winemaking and Process

The winemaking at Il Paluffo is a careful and precise process, tailored to each cuvée.

  • Harvest: All grapes are meticulously hand-harvested.

  • Vinification: They use a gentle approach, with fermentation taking place in stainless steel tanks and old barrels.

  • Aging: The wines are aged for several months to a year before being bottled, allowing them to stabilize naturally.

  • Sparkling Wines: They also produce a sparkling wine using the ancestral method from Trebbiano, which showcases their innovative approach.

Signature Wines to Discover

The wines of Il Paluffo are known for their lively character, purity, and honest expression of the Tuscan terroir.

  • Paluffo Rosso: A pure Sangiovese that is known for its elegant and fruit-forward character.

  • Paluffo Rosato: A pure Trebbiano rosé wine with a beautiful color and a refreshing character.

  • Ancestrale Paluffo: A sparkling wine made from Trebbiano, bottled during fermentation, that is a true expression of their natural winemaking style.

Address & Contact

Il Paluffo is both a working winery and an eco-lodge. Visits and stays are possible by appointment.

  • Address: Via Citerna, 144, 50052 Certaldo (FI), Italy.