The soils in Toscana are formed from Pliocene and Pleistocene marine sediments, and from Quaternary alluvial and lacustrine deposits. The region is quite hilly, progressing inward to the Apennine Mountains. Here, many vineyards are planted on the higher elevations of the hillsides to benefit from a cooler weather. The soils composition lie mostly on clay, with a great level of nutrients and organic matter.

Avignonesi is one of the great Tuscan estates, although its creation dates only from 1974. The wines have the power of Brunello but in a softer frame. Although permitted to blend in up to 30% of other Tuscan grapes, owner Virgine Sayers relishes the challenge of making a varietal sangiovese wine. The Belgian-born former lawyer took over the estate in 2009 and has overseen a conversion to organics and biodynamics in her quest to bring Vino Nobile out of the shadow of Brunello and the Super Tuscans. The motto of the estate is “Terroir Speaks. We Listen.”