Like every locale in this land that boasts ancient cultural roots, San Felice too offers material evidence that goes back to the region’s Etruscan origins. But it was in the 10th century that documents emerge that show the Pieve San Felice in Pincis, dedicated to the martyr San Felice da Nola, as one of the oldest Chianti-area foundations. Its properties and the medieval borgo that grew up around the church experienced the same historical vicissitudes as the surrounding areas. They passed through various types of control, from that of the religious orders to that of powerful local families, a case in point being the Sienese Cerretani family, whose oversight lasted until the 19th century.

The Del Taja family then assumed control, and turned the estate into a highly successful enterprise, right into the first half of the 20th century, their prestige symbolised by the fact that they were among the founders of the Consorzio del Chianti Classico, with its famous black rooster logo. After the Second World War, however, San Felice went through a period of decline, along with the entire Chianti region. But its fortunes turned with its acquisition in 1968 by a large financial group, and then in 1978, when it was acquired by RAS.

Enzo Morganti, a far-sighted manager with long experience in growing Sangiovese, launched in that year the re-structuring of the enterprise and its transformation from an entity largely focused on quantity to one fully dedicated to high quality. He laid the foundations as well for systematic scientific research, which was initially directed at developing the full potential of the Sangiovese variety. Today, Agricola San Felice, widely recognised for its innovative approach and for uncompromising quality, has achieved remarkable success, as well as business performance, as its growth in the Italian and global markets has made clear.