Available in the Members Bar and Dining Room
Isole e Olena is one of the most respected names in Tuscany, a historic estate nestled in the rolling hills of Chianti Classico. The property as we know it today was shaped in the 1950s when two neighbouring farms, Isole and Olena, were combined. But it was not until the 1970s, when Paolo De Marchi took the reins from his family, that the estate began its quiet transformation into a world-class producer.
Paolo De Marchi is one of Italy’s most admired winemakers, thoughtful, meticulous, and deeply rooted in the land. While he is best known for elevating Sangiovese through his iconic Cepparello, he has never turned away from the region’s traditions. Among the most precious of these is Vin Santo, Tuscany’s historic dessert wine.
Vin Santo, or “holy wine,” is a centuries-old tradition. Made from white grapes, usually Malvasia and Trebbiano, the clusters are carefully harvested and then dried slowly over several months. This natural process concentrates their sugars and flavors. The grapes are then pressed, and the juice is aged in small oak barrels, often for eight to ten years, allowing for a slow, oxidative fermentation that creates extraordinary depth and character.
Isole e Olena’s Vin Santo is made in tiny quantities and only in the best years. It is rich yet balanced, with notes of dried fruit, honey, toasted almonds, and citrus peel, carried by a clean, bright acidity. Less sweet than many of its kind, it is a refined and contemplative wine, more about elegance than opulence.
While traditionally served with cantucci (Tuscan almond biscuits), it also pairs beautifully with blue cheese. As with all De Marchi’s wines, it’s not just about taste but a sense of time, place, and care. A wine made slowly, to be sipped slowly.
A small miracle of patience and tradition, Isole e Olena’s Vin Santo is a tribute to time, to craftsmanship, and to the quiet artistry of Paolo De Marchi. Please come and have a taste in the Dining Room or Members Bar. If you wish to enjoy this wine with a delicious meal, please contact [email protected]
