Fontodi

Fontodi winery is located in Panzano, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region and has a long history. Vines were already cultivated here during the Roman era and evidence has been found that vinification already took place on this farm, called Via, in the 16th century. The current owner, the Manetti family, also has a long history in the Chianti area, although not in wine growing. This family made terracotta for about 300 years and started producing wine in 1968 after purchasing Fontodi.

Giovanni Manetti, assisted by his cousin Marco, is in charge of the 70 hectare vineyard. Giovanni's first involvement with the company was in 1979. Shortly afterwards, he hired renowned oenologist Franco Bernabei to work together to improve numerous practices. A very important development is the construction of an ultra modern cantina which was completed in 1998. Here the wines are fermented in stainless steel, temperature controlled tanks to get more extraction. Once ready, the wines are brought by gravity, instead of pumps, to the brand new barrel cellar and aged there on French oak. The premier cuvees go on new oak, the other wines go in the older barrels. Otherwise, here is the use of no-toast oak barrels to maintain a bit more freshness in the wine.
With all the vineyards, located in the Conca d'Oro valley, which means golden cap, Fontodi is one of the most respected producers in Chianti Classico. Organic viticulture, biodynamic wine making, creating beautiful fruits to produce a portfolio of artisan stylish wines. With their sense of tradition, an abundance of typicity and yet looking ahead, they know how to make characteristic wines from mainly Sangiovese grapes. Wines that should not be missing from any Italy fan!

A high-quality Chianti Classico with a maximum maturation of 1 year, a Riserva that can be considered one of the first Sangiovese-Cabernet blends due to the perfect collaboration of Giovanni and Franco, and a Super-Tuscan with the name Flaccianello della Pieve from only Sangiovese that scores points at Robert Parker. Important other wines are the Pinot Nero, from the educational period of Giovanni, when he looked with great inspiration at Burgundy and the Syrah planted as a youthful experiment. The latter 2 are bottled under the name Via. In short, wines that should not be missing from any Italy fan!

In the last 17 editions of the Gambero Rosso it has no less than 13 times a rating of 'Tre Bicchieri'. The highest possible.