Fattoria di Sammontana is located near the town of Empoli, between Florence and Pisa, in Tuscany. The Fattoria’s barrel room is underneath a 12th century convent, where monks would go to rest and retire. It’s also home to some amphorae, in which the Merlot for this wine is fermented.

Merlot was planted on the estate when ‘Super Tuscan’ reds were all the rage, when the American-influenced market place of the ’80s and ’90s decided Sangiovese needed a blending partner from Bordeaux. This fad is out of fashion now – but the Merlot remains at Sammontana. For years, they embarrassedly sold the grapes to other local wineries, but as the vines are now 40 years old, the quality of the fruit forced them to reassess.

They decided to make a full bodied, amphora-fermented rosé. Soft and smooth, there’s watermelon and plum fruit, and also the savoury saltiness of green olives.