There is hardly a more beautiful and romantic little town in Tuscany than San Gimignano, which has lent its name to the small wine-growing area of just 660 hectares. Fifteen 13th century towers proudly reach for the sky; there were once 72, built by well-heeled families as a sign of prosperity and, of course, intended to defend the medieval town centre which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vernaccia di San Gimignano from the grape variety Vernaccia, not related to the South Tyrolean Vernatsch, is the only controlled provenance for white wine in Tuscany. It is mentioned in documents as early as 1276. The pilgrimage and trade route through Europe to Canterbury runs through the region; so many travellers had to be supplied with provisions and wine. The Vernaccia was very popular and the region quite prosperous. In the 1960's and 70's the wine from here fell into oblivion, which may be attributed on the one hand to its quality, and on the other hand to Tuscany's focus on red wine. At the end of the 80s however, it celebrated a great renaissance. The development of Terre di Tufi from the house of Teruzzi & Puthod, a very high-quality Vernaccia aged in barrique, which quickly enjoyed cult status, may have played a decisive role. At an altitude of about 500 meters, the vines grow in a warm and dry Mediterranean climate on clay, sand and tufa soils with a stony subsoil. Today, Vernaccia, with its fine fruitiness and character, is once again one of Italy's most important white wines.