In the old days, wines that were consumed after special meals or by themselves because of their value and organoleptic characteristics were considered "luxury wines". Vinsanto was one of these wines, made particularly valuable by the fact that each family’s father or grandfather would make their own, following a time-honored recipe handed down through generations. Many origins of this wine, and its singular name, have been hypothesized, the truth however is lost in time. One legend from Siena states that a friar from the fourteenth century would hand this wine to the ill disposed for its healing properties. From this the belief that this wine had miraculous properties, hence the name "Santo". Another possible explanation to the name comes from its use by the church during the mass.