Phenomenal…simply stunning…extraordinary wines from one of Sangiovese’s most privileged spots. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate.
The world famous Fontodi estate is situated in the very heart of the Chianti Classico region; precisely in the valley called the “Conca d’Oro” The Golden Shell. This special site, a natural amphitheatre that lies to the south of the picturesque town of Panzano has, perhaps, Tuscany’s most genuine and special “terroir”, famous for centuries for its tradition of wine cultivation. Why? The Conca d’Oro has a unique combination of high altitude, calcar clayschist soil, lots of light and a sought-after micro-climate – warm and dry with a marked difference in day and night-time temperatures. It is here that many of the greatest Chianti Classic and Super Tusans.
The Manetti family has owned Fontodi since 1969, but has been well-known in Chianti for centuries. Though they have always made wine it is for the production of the world’s best terracotta that they are best known. Since the 16th century they have supplied tiles for the museums and grand houses of Italy. This is a family that appreciates permanence and the steady creation of greatness.
The same attention to detail that makes them the best producers of terracotta has been brought to bear on the Fontodi estate. Over the past 40 years they have transformed a crumbling farmhouse and neglected vineyards into a powerhouse of wine production – now considered to be Italy’s finest boutique producer. Giovanni Manetti, who has run the estate since 1980 ensures that every single aspect of production is meticulous. Today, the Manetti’s own 70 hectares of vineyard in the Conca d’Oro of Panzano, producing wines of supreme elegance, intensity and longevity.
Giovanni fully converted the estate to Organic viticulture recently (this took 6 years) and now they are focussing on bio-dynamic principles in order to obtain the best possible quality fruit. He told me that their principles in the vineyard are similarly non-interventionist (very low toast on the oak barrels for example) in order to ensure that the quality of the fruit is preserved in the finished wine.
These are remarkable wines that rank alongside the greatest classics of any of the highest echelon of European wines. Hand picked and carefully selected before vinification these are wines of exultant character and elegance. Their cellaring potential is equally impressive. They appeal the wine-lover, collector and the investor in equal amounts. We can ask no more of Giovanni and his team.
A selection of Fontodi wines are available to order online. Please contact us with further questions and enquiries.