Soil

From a geological point of view, the Azienda Agricola Sanlorenzo is characterised by the outcrop of the Formation of Santa Fiora, dating back to between the Upper Cretaceous and the Lower Ecocene (approximately 40 million years ago). These are alternating layers of hazel grey-coloured or sometimes green or red clay (marl), with decimetric, grey coloured stone layers of calcarenites and fine limestones. This land, following the pedogenic process, forms soils of medium texture rich in structure but at the same time with a clay soil fraction. They are deep soils (50-70 cm) which present rich rocky elements immersed in a sandy clay matrix; the calcium component is high and the drainage moderate.
These soils, in agriculture, are generally of limited use due to the risk of erosion in hilly environments, and especially due to their limited thickness, with the presence of an abundant structure and superficial rockiness even if the clay-rich matrix has a high capacity for water retention.

The soil on which the vineyards are found has an effect in determining the typical characteristics of the wine produced, in conjunction with other factors including the Sangiovese variety particularly suited to these soils, the microclimate of the upper hills with its particular temperature system and rain. The altitude and exposure of the vineyards found on the open slopes of the southern side. can be added to these elements. The farm’s land is, for the most part, poor in the sense that it is characterised by soil that is neither very deep nor fertile which tends to dehydrate, attenuating the flourishing of the plant during the ripening period and allowing a greater deposit of sugars and other organic components in the berries at the expense of vegetative activity. This state of drought stress improves the quality of the product if it is not too accentuated.