Paolo Vagaggini: The Maestro of Sangiovese who taught wine to speak tuscan
Written by Davide Gangi | Published in people, wine 
There are encounters which, though recent, manage to leave a lasting impression. Meeting Paolo Vagaggini was one of those. A reserved man, cultured, rigorous, endowed with a passion that shines through every word and gesture—yet never in need of fanfare. Although our acquaintance is still new, I hold him in sincere and growing esteem. I consider him one of the greatest interpreters of Italian wine, a true intellectual of oenology.
To speak of him is to delve into the heart of the most authentic Tuscany—the one that beats through the hills of Chianti Classico, Montalcino, and Montepulciano. Above all, it means speaking of his virtuous obsession with Sangiovese, a fascinating and challenging grape variety that demands sensitivity, experience, and absolute rigor. In over forty years of career, he has helped shape the stylistic renaissance of entire territories, becoming a point of reference for those who seek authenticity, depth, and identity.
His approach struck me immediately. For him, the oenologist must not overpower the wine but accompany it. His work is that of a refined interpreter, capable of translating the language of the vineyards into coherent, elegant, never ostentatious enological expressions. Every wine bearing his signature is a dialogue between land, technique, and vision.
I had the pleasure of visiting Amantis, the family winery, and meeting wonderful people who embody passion, culture, and restraint. I particularly cherish the memory of an intense evening, rich in reflections and discussions on the current landscape of Italian oenology—an authentic and enriching dialogue. I was able to appreciate Paolo’s intellectual sharpness, elegance, and extraordinary professionalism, as well as his ability to listen and the deep vision that guides his every choice.
At the Vinoway Selection 2025, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino was awarded a score of 95/100 Stella—a Tuscan classic representing the excellence of Amantis’ production.
Alongside him, I also had the pleasure of meeting his elegant wife, Bernadetta Angela Tacconi—a key presence and owner of the winery, who gracefully and firmly coordinates both the family and the estate with an unmistakable style. A woman of extraordinary refinement, a splendid hostess, capable of making every guest feel part of a world where rigor and hospitality coexist naturally.
And I cannot fail to mention their son Jacopo, a brilliant and passionate oenologist, awarded by Vinoway in 2023 as Best Young Italian Oenologist. A recognition that testifies to the talent, preparation, and future that this family is building with consistency and love.
Paolo Vagaggini’s name is found alongside legendary labels—Biondi Santi, Caprili, Le Chiuse, Il Marroneto—but his greatness also lies in the discreet support he offers to many smaller wineries, which he has helped grow without ever compromising on rigor and truth.
To him—whom I’ve had the pleasure of knowing only recently but already consider a key figure in Italian oenology—goes my deepest admiration. Because wine, like life, is nourished by encounters that leave a mark.
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