JG BENDA

A fresh presence in one of Italy’s most renowned wine regions, Montalcino—John Benda. Born to an English mother, he grew up in Rome and later spent many years in London, where his deep passion for wine took root.

Together with his Australian partner, Zoe Johnson, he runs a boutique winery set on a 16-hectare estate, with 2 hectares dedicated to vineyards, nestled within surrounding woodlands. The vineyards sit at an elevation of 520 to 550 meters above sea level, just below the Lume Spento pass toward Tavarnelle.

Each vineyard is uniquely influenced by its geological origins. The first, planted in 2006, thrives on stony soils from the Upper Cretaceous period, with alternating layers of gray marl. With over 60% sand content, these soils lend remarkable elegance to the wines.

The second vineyard, established in the 1990s, is rooted in Paleocene-era terrain, where quartzose-feldspathic siltstones and Galestro emerge amidst a limestone-rich foundation. This diverse terroir shapes the distinct character of their wines, a reflection of Montalcino’s rich geological heritage.