Petrolo is the definition of a cult winery, with an owner and a story that have helped create its legendary status. Though virtually unknown even in the wine world, the Valdarno di Sopra denomination dates back to the days of the Medici family during the Renaissance, and the area has always been renowned for the winemaking potential of the tiny area of Tuscany near Chianti in which it is located. In the last fifteen years, Petrolo has established itself as one of Tuscany’s, and Italy’s, great wineries and is renowned above all for producing wines with a distinct regional identity.

Galatrona is Petrolo’s most acclaimed wine, a Merlot cru made exclusively with grapes from the Galatrona Feriale vineyard planted in various phases during the 1990s with low vigor Bordeaux clones. The unique microclimate allows the concentration of the noble components of the grapes that are fundamental for the great structure, elegance, balance, and persistence that has made Galantrona one of Italy’s most coveted wines. Mostly loam soil, with variable rocky stratifications of schist, marl and sandstone.

Farmed under EU Organic Certification since 2016, Petrolo has been practicing natural and sustainable farming at the Galatrona Vineyard since 2004. Dry farming, no tillage, total grassing with mulch management, no use of synthetic pesticides or fertilizers are the norms here. Fermentation is via natural vinification with native yeasts. Vinification occurs in concrete vats with soft and frequent manual pumping over, followed by skin maceration for over 18 days. Aging occurs over 18 months in French barriques, 1/3 in new oak. The spontaneous malolactic fermentation happens in wood. Constant batonnage of the fine lees takes place during the first 6 months of aging.