When Santiago Marone Cinzano was born in Geneva in 1994, his parents named him in honor of the pilgrim road to Santiago de Compostela. This early symbolism foreshadowed a life marked by journeys, family heritage, and a quest for renewal. Coincidentally, the family relocated to Santiago, Chile, when he was just two, where they lived for ten years.
Santiago’s father, Francesco Marone Cinzano, was raised in Turin and destined to lead the Cinzano wine and spirits empire, a family legacy that started in 1757. The company flourished globally, becoming a key player in the wine and spirits sector with its vermouths popular around the world. However, by the 1990s, the company faced a crossroads due to an ultimatum from Grand Metropolitan, which had acquired it: sell or diminish in value. Ultimately, in 1993, Francesco and his siblings sold the company but retained two Montalcino estates, believing that fine wine offered lasting value.
This decision weighed heavily on Francesco, who had promised his father never to sell the family brand. “If I am the one who breaks the chain, I must also reclaim our identity as farmers,” he often said.
In 1995, seeking reconnection with his roots, Francesco moved the family to Chile. There, he established Erasmo, an artisanal winery inspired by local farming methods rooted in lunar cycles and herbal composting. These practices mirrored the biodynamic principles gaining traction in regions like Burgundy. “They hadn’t read Rudolf Steiner,” Santiago recalls, “but their knowledge came from generations of observation."
After a decade in Chile, the Marone Cinzano family returned to Montalcino in 2005. Francesco began converting Col d’Orcia estate to organic farming, with the estate gaining organic certification by 2010. Santiago, while growing up amidst vineyards, felt no pressure to continue the family legacy. However, longing for approval, he volunteered during the harvest at the age of 12, igniting a passion for winemaking after understanding the family story behind the Cinzano brand.
In 2017, after formally joining Col d’Orcia, Santiago launched his own project named after his family: Conti Marone Cinzano. Despite the Cinzano name being owned by a multinational conglomerate, Santiago pursued permission to use it for his Brunello project. After persistent efforts, the owner consented. This moment brought emotional closure for his father, who had once feared the loss of their legacy.
As he took charge of operations, Santiago introduced Lot 1 within Col d’Orcia, employing micro-parcelization techniques across their Sangiovese vineyards. The unpredictable climate pushed him towards “itinerant cru selection,” adapting the vineyard’s usage based on climatic conditions each vintage, delivering a unique narrative through the wine.
Lot 1 yields fewer than 10,000 bottles per season, showcasing meticulous selection. Santiago balances the commitment to stylistic consistency with the representation of terroir. His minimalistic winemaking approach, including native yeast fermentation and aging practices, aims to create elegance and finesse while capturing the vineyard’s identity without sacrificing quality.
Santiago embraces his heritage in marketing, reflecting the legacy of his great-grandfather, who was a pioneer in wine branding. With a focus on modern marketing combined with authentic storytelling, Lot 1 has gained a presence in Italy and cites expanding markets across Asia and the US.
Ultimately, Santiago views his work as a means of restoring identity and connection with the land, advocating for a contemporary approach to winemaking. Looking forward, he hopes that one day his grandson will reflect on his legacy and acknowledge the innovative path he carved, with Lot 1 symbolizing the blend of renown, renewal, and ancestral roots.