Freshness from Monte Amiata
Famiglia Fabiani
Reading Time: 5 mins
High on the slopes of Monte Amiata, the Fabiani family grows vines at around 650 meters above sea level, where altitude brings freshness to Tuscan wine. This is the story of my visit to their small family winery in Cinigiano, and of Zabala, the wine I chose for the Toscana Wine Club.
In the heart of Tuscany, nestled between the enchanting Maremma region and the majestic Monte Amiata, lies a small family-run winery making bold strides in Tuscan viticulture.
Some time ago, I met Luca, the third-generation owner of Famiglia Fabiani, located in the hilly area of Cinigiano in the Grosseto province. During a very informative Tuscany winery tour and tasting, he explained how his parents chose to invest in vineyards situated at the higher altitudes of Monte Amiata, around 650 meters above sea level. This forward-thinking decision is particularly significant given the recent climate changes and their impact on Tuscan winemaking, providing freshness characteristics that are evident in their wines.
The Fabiani family owns 17.5 hectares of land, with 2.5 hectares dedicated to a vineyard that’s approximately fifty years old, cultivated using the traditional Tuscan double arch method. Additionally, there’s half a hectare with vines trained in a unilateral cordon spur style, about fifteen years old. The family’s dedication to quality shines through in their approach to Tuscan viticulture.
Famiglia Fabiani’s mission is to create distinguished Tuscan wines that stand out in the market. Their vineyards, with an average age of over thirty years, are home to a variety of grape types. The winery prides itself on manual cultivation techniques, producing natural wines through fermentation with only indigenous yeasts, and adhering to key principles of biodynamics. Luckily enough, I had the chance to taste how these wines expressed themselves differently depending on the vats where they are crafted. An experience I always recommend to my tour clients when I organize private wine tours in Tuscany!
During the wine tasting in their tiny but well-curated tasting room, I selected one of their standout wines for my Toscana Wine Club: Zabala, a Toscana IGT made primarily from Sangiovese grapes. This wine is known for its incredible freshness and fruity character, making it the perfect choice to enjoy chilled at the start of summer.
Interestingly, the name of the wine comes from the Fabiani family’s great passion for football, leading them to dedicate one of their wines, Zabala, to Luca’s uncle, who was named after the famous Argentine footballer of the same name. I smile at the thought of how a great passion can inspire the name of a wine, whose origins are often so diverse and sometimes very curious!
As the climate continues to change, the Fabiani family’s innovative investment in high-altitude vineyards not only reflects their adaptability but also their commitment to maintaining and enhancing the quality of their wines. Their dedication to natural and biodynamic methods ensures that each bottle of wine from Famiglia Fabiani is a true representation of the land and tradition from which it comes.
Discover the unique flavors and stories behind Famiglia Fabiani wines, and experience a piece of Tuscany’s rich winemaking heritage. Whether you are a wine enthusiast or looking for authentic wine experiences in Tuscany, Famiglia Fabiani offers a remarkable journey into the world of Tuscan wine.
Would you like to discover wineries like Famiglia Fabiani with me, or receive bottles like Zabala at home? Take a look at my winery tours in Tuscany and at the Toscana Wine Club memberships.
By Claudia Callegari, DipWSET Level 4 Certified sommelier. I lead private wine tastings at Tuscan villas, visits to small wineries and the Toscana Wine Club.
Reviewed and updated on October 20, 2026.