Bissoni: Elegant Organic Sangiovese from Emilia-Romagna

When people think of Sangiovese, Tuscany usually steals the spotlight. But travel east, towards Emilia-Romagna, and you will find another, more understated expression of Italy’s most famous red grape. At Bissoni, in the hills around Bertinoro, Sangiovese is made with freshness, finesse and a wonderfully individual sense of place.

Bissoni is a small, family run organic winery led by winemaker Raffaela Bissoni. It is the kind of producer that rewards curiosity: a thoughtful estate making wines that feel honest, expressive and quietly confident.

A small estate with a clear identity

Bissoni is based in Bertinoro, in the Romagna part of Emilia-Romagna. The winery works with around six hectares of vines and produces approximately 25,000 bottles each year, keeping the scale small and the focus firmly on quality.

The estate has been in existence since 1988, with Raffaela Bissoni at the heart of its winemaking. Her approach is refreshingly direct: make Sangiovese that reflects its local landscape rather than chasing a more powerful or heavily styled version of the grape.

The result is a very different perspective on Sangiovese. Rather than broad, muscular reds, Bissoni’s wines tend towards elegance, purity and drinkability.

Sangiovese with a Romagna accent

Bertinoro is well suited to making characterful red wine. The wines from this part of Emilia-Romagna can offer the bright acidity and savoury edge that make Sangiovese so enjoyable at the table, while retaining plenty of ripe fruit and softness.

Bissoni’s Sangiovese is typically aromatic and expressive, with notes of black cherry, blackberry, liquorice and gentle herbal spice. On the palate, the wines are fresh and balanced, with fine tannins and an easy, graceful flow.

This is Sangiovese that does not need to shout. It is vibrant rather than heavy, structured without being austere, and versatile enough to suit both a relaxed midweek meal and a longer Sunday lunch.

Organic wine, made with care

Bissoni is certified organic, an approach that suits the estate’s hands-on, small-scale philosophy. Organic viticulture is not simply about what is left out of the vineyard; it is about working attentively with the vines and allowing the fruit to speak clearly in the finished wine.

That care comes through in the wines. They feel natural in the best sense: not manipulated, not overdone and full of energy. If you enjoy Italian reds that are fresh, food-friendly and full of personality, Bissoni is a producer to know.

Girapoggio: an approachable introduction

The Girapoggio Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore is a brilliant introduction to the Bissoni style. Made from 100% Sangiovese, it is juicy, fragrant and effortlessly drinkable.

Expect dark berry fruit, black cherries, a touch of liquorice and subtle herbal notes. It has enough freshness to make you reach for another glass, but enough depth to stand up to food.

Serve it lightly chilled, around 16–18°C, with charcuterie, pizza, pasta with ragù, grilled vegetables or roast chicken. It is the sort of red that is especially good when friends are around the table.

The Riserva: more depth, more detail

For something more structured, Bissoni’s Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore Riserva offers a deeper expression of the estate. A period of ageing in French oak brings extra complexity, with red fruit, spice, liquorice and subtle vanilla notes alongside a more serious tannin structure.

This is a wine for richer dishes: slow-cooked beef, roast lamb, game or a hearty mushroom pasta. Decanting it before dinner will allow its layers to open up.

Why Bissoni is worth seeking out

Bissoni shows just how much character Sangiovese can have beyond Tuscany. These are wines with Italian warmth and generous fruit, but also a clarity and freshness that make them incredibly satisfying to drink.

For anyone looking to explore organic Italian wine, discover Emilia-Romagna or simply find a red that works brilliantly with food, Bissoni is a superb choice. It is a small producer with a clear point of view and wines that are very easy to love.