TERROIR AND GEOGRAPHY

The core of our farm is on the border of Panzano and Greve in Chianti. Located just below the summit of Montefili, approximately 500 meters above sea level, it offer a commanding view of the hamlet of Montefioralle. Here, we have approximately 3 hectares of Sangiovese vineyards, two thirds of which were planted about 40 years ago. These vineyards fan around the farm in an East to Northeast exposure, while being open to the South. Our youngest vineyard, to the Southwest side of the farm, is Cabernet Franc, which will be making it into our blends in a couple of years’ time.

Since 2018 we have leased 2 hectares of Chianti Classico vineyards near the village of Lamole. This terrain is on the opposite side of the Greve valley, but at an almost identical altitude. Our Merlot and Cabernet grapes come from a smallholding with excellent terroir near the medieval monastery and hamlet of Badia a Passignano, in the neighbouring valley of the river Pesa.

These terroirs are broadly considered to be among the very best in Italy. Some of the most famous wines of Tuscany, such as Solaia by the Antinori family, are produced on an estate just a few kilometers from here. Our soil type is the famous Tuscan Albarese, a compact, clay and limestone mix. This soil tends to stay cooler in the hot summers and retains water, which is crucial given our steep territory. Typically, these soils make for late ripening grapes, which reach maturity after enjoying the more gentle, Autumn sun and cooling evening breezes. The marked diurnal temperature range in the early Autumn allows the grapes to mature in a more balanced way, enjoying the heat of the day to foster sugar development, but cool nights to help the vines recover from the heat and preserve aromas, freshness and acidity. Lime rich soils are famous for producing bold, age-worthy wines; Sangiovese is typically a light to medium bodied wine, which in these circumstances has the potential to excel.

The existing vineyards have been producing fine wines for over 40 years. But the history of these mineral-rich clay soils is much older, dating back three and half centuries. Our hope is to continue and further improve this great tradition, farming organically and responsibly, nurturing these ancient lands, and continuing to bottle an authentic expression of this excellent terroir. Tim Atkin, the British Master of Wine, wrote about his friend, a professional musician; he described how one could tell if a violin had been well played by its previous owner, “as if it were imbued with its own history” - this is how we feel about our land. Our terroir speaks of what went before. And we aim to produce age-worthy, elegant wines that are deserving of their birthright.