Susan from PA sent me her notes for Tuscany wineries several months ago and I have not had the time to post them on the web site, so here they are for now!
Chianti Classico
Greve & Panzano
Vallombrosan Monastery of Badia Bottega di Badia a Passignano (enoteche stocking full range of Antinori’s wines) Loc. Badia Passignano 50020 Sambuca Val di Pasa Wine cellars not usually open to visitors. They are used to store Antinori’s Tignanello and Solaia wines. Vineyards recently replanted to grow Antinori’s Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico. An adjoining shop sells full range of Antinori’s wines.
Distilleria Bonollo Luigi Bellentani Loc. Citille 43/B 50022 Greve in Chianti 055/8544466 FAX 055/8544736 Grappa distillery. Has tours, tastings, museum and historic cellars.
*Tenuta Fontodi Via San Leolino, 87 50020 Panzano in Chianti 055/852005 FAX 055/852537 Mid-size estate. Superb wines. Flaccianello delle Pieve one of the best 100% Sangiovese super-Tuscans in Chianti. Chianti Classico and cru Vigna del Sorbo both are stunning. Tours available. Wine Spectator rated the Chianti Classico 1997 a 92 ($23) and #28 in the top 100 of 1999.
Castello Dei Rampolla Via Case Sparse, 22 50020 Panzano in Chianti 055/852001 Highly rated super-Tuscan Sammarco (mainly Cabernet) is their pride but Chianti Classico also fine. High altitude vineyard. Wine Spectator rated the Vigna d’Alceo as a 97 ($85) and 26th in the top 100 of 1999.
Castellina
Castello di Fonterutoli Loc. Fonterutoli Via Rossini, 5 53011 Castellina in Chianti 0577/740476 FAX 0577/741070
Owned and run by the Mazzei family since 1435, the entire property is on 1161 acres with only about 153 acres planted with vines. They made a decision to stay with their classic wines and are extremely successful. Look for the two Chianti Classico, Castell di Fonterutoil and Ser Lapo ; Concerto, Sangiovese with 20% Cabernet, and Seipi, Sangiovese with 20% Merlot.
Gaiole
*Castello di Ama Loc Ama 53010 Gaiole in Chianti 0577/746031 FAX 0577/746117 Large estate, high quality, stylish wines. An unusually large array of other grape varieties: Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Nero produced as single varietals from separate vineyards. Look for Chianti Classico Bellavista & Vigna l’Apparita Merlot (super-Tuscan). Tours available.
Castello di Brolio – Ricasoli Loc. Brolio 53013 Gaiole in Chianti 0577/749066 Gaiole’s most magnificent castle. Look for Casalferro (best Sangiovese of 1999) and Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio reserve. Tours are available.
Castelnuovo Berardenga
San Felice Loc. San Felice 53019 Castelnuovo Berardenga 0577/359087-359088 FAX 0577/359223 Part of a perfectly restored hamlet. Olive oil processing and a fantastic restaurant. Look for Chianti Classico Poggio Rosso (is the best of Chianti Classico) and super-Tuscan Vigorello (Sangiovese with a little cabernet, Chardonnay and Vin Santo). Tours available.
*Fattoria Di Felsina Strada Chiantigiana, 484 53019 Castelnuovo Berardenga 0577/355117 FAX 0577/355651 Fantastic wines, refined, powerful and complex. Look for Chianti Classico Rancia, Maestro Raro (Cabernet based super-Tuscan) and one of the best super-Tuscan Fontalloro. Great olive oil. Tours available.
Montalcino
Castello Banfi Castello Di Poggio alle Mura 53024 Montalcino 0577/840111 FAX 0577/840444 Huge estate developed by the massive Banfi Corporation, American importers of Italian wine. Numerous wines including international varietals as well as Brunello or Brunello blends. Look for Summus (blend of Sangiovese, syrah and cabernet), Mandrielle Merlot, Tavernelle Cabernet and Brunello di Montalcino Poggio all’Oro. Tours available plus they have a restaurant with a 5-course meal that is fantastic!
Fattoria dei Barbi Loc. Podernovi 53024 Montalcino 0577/848277 FAX 0577/849356 One of Mantalcino’s most high profile estates. Tours available for the historical winery. They also make all the products of a classic Tuscan farm, salamis and cheeses. Look for Brunello di Montalcino and Brunello di Montalcino Vigna del Fiore.
Altesino Loc. Torrenieri 53028 Montalcino 0577/806208 FAX 0577/806131 Fine modern estate on small vineyard estates. Look for Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino. Cru Montosoli (Brunello), and Palazzo Altesi and Alte Altesi (super-Tuscans) are consistently good. Tours available.
Montepulciano
Avignonesi Via di Gracciano nel Corso, 91 53040 Montepulciano 0578/757872-757873 FAX 0578/757847 Palace with 12th century cellars and Etruscan tomb underneath. Wonderful, powerful wines. Look for Grifi (50% Sangiovese and 50% Cabernet), Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the best Vin Santo (sweet white) in the region. Tours available.
Poderi Boscarelli Loc. Cervognano Via di Montenero, 28 53040 Montepulciano 0578/767277-767608 FAX 0578/767650 Considered by many to be the purest and most typical expressions of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (a blend with a minimum of 80% Sangiovese). Also look for Boscarelli (intense Sangiovese and cabernet blend super-Tuscan). Tours available.
*- Producers that have received the highest ratings from Gambero Rosso at least 10 times. The Gambero Rosso is the prestigious annual publication that rates Italian wines for the past 12 years. I used the 1999 version, which is only the second year that it has been published in English.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,
Posts: 26618 | Location: Santa Fe, NM | Registered: 15 June 2001
Here are more of Susan's Tuscany Winery notes: written by Susan from PA (Thanks Susan!!)
Even though the town is given for each winery, it only means that the winery is within ½ hour of the town! Look on a good map before you venture out. We used the Italian Touring Club maps (I purchased Tuscany before we left) It was great! We always had the right info. I have heard mixed info on Michelin maps.
Poderi Boscarelli (Montepulciano) – The winery is small, we had the owner show us around. He is doing some building to expand and looking for more land to plant grapes. At the end he had a small “foyer” room that he very graciously poured any samples we were interested in. He also sold his own wine. Very pleasant, low key and almost “homey” feeling. The winery is actually located just outside of Acquaviva (east of Montepulciano on Rt 146) In the middle of Acquaviva look for a small sign on the side of a building (it can only be seen coming from the east) make that left turn onto a narrow street towards Cervognano. A few miles you will see Poderi Boscarelli on your right. Phone # 0578/767277 Fax #0578/767650
Fattoria dei Barbi – (Montalcino) - Barbi is designed for visitors. They have a wonderful restaurant, outside picnic tables and a complete wine shop selling all their current wines. They run tours during the day. The cellars are interesting and there is a tasting after the tour. If you do not do a tour, they have free tastings all day. To get there head south from Montalcino towards Castelnuovo dell’Abate (this is the middle of the 3 roads that lead south). Just past la Croce is a left turn to Fattoria dei Barbi. Phone # 0577/848277 fax # 0577/849356
Castello de Brolio – Gaiole – All signs seem to point to Castello de Brolio, it was very easy to find the huge castle on top of a steep winding road. What is not mentioned is that there is a church and grounds at the castle (that were never open) and the winery is to the right as you are looking at the entrance of the castle (long white road). As you travel right you will see several roads coming together, stay left and go into an “industrial” area, the entrance to the winery is around back. They have a small tasting room with other things for sale. To get there travel south from Gaiole on Rt 408 (towards Siena). You will make a left turn towards San Regolo (it should be marked for Castello de Brolio). Phone # 0577/749066 . There is a web sight for them. They do start the tours exactly on time. We spent so much time driving up and down the road to the castle, that we missed the tour.
Castello de Volpaia – Our favorite hands down! They charge L 23,000 per person, it was worth it. The hamlet of Volpaia was purchased by the winery. 42 people currently live there; not all employed by the winery! It is so charming! Volpaia also makes honey, olive oil and the only authorized maker of vinegar in Tuscany. Following the tour we were brought down to the cellars and given very generous tasting (all you want) of 3 wines. They also had some wonderful cooked tomato mixture on homemade crackers and cheese. We stayed there for almost 2 hours! The retail store had wonderful oils, vinegar, honey and wine for sale. You could even make up a gift box set. There is even a small cafe there that is wonderful! It is directly North of Radda. From Radda take the road towards Panzano via Lucarelli. A couple of kilometers outside of Radda turn right to Volpaia and right again at the fork. You will pass Terreno. Count on at least 15-20 minutes from Radda. Phone # 0577/738066 fax # 0577/738619
Tenuta Fontodi – very small but modern facility. The owner’s daughter showed us around and then offered a wine tasting. Wine and oil were offered for sale. It is located south of Panzano. Head southwest (towards Castellina), you will pass Le Masse di San Leolina on the left and then Fontodi. Phone # 055/852005 fax #055/852537.
I have not heard about Castello Uzzano, it is not in any of my books. I would recommend contacting each of these 3 groups; they represent the 3 major wine associations in Tuscany. They all offer maps and listings, be prepared to wait many weeks for info to come!
Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, phone# 0577/848246, fax # 0577/849425, e-mail consbrun@tin.it
Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, phone# 0578/757812, fax # 0578/758213 or e-mail nobile@bccmp.com
Consorzio del Marcho Storico, Chianti Classico, phone # 055/82285, fax # 055/8228173 or e-mail marketing@chianticlassico.com
Good luck!
Posts: 26618 | Location: Santa Fe, NM | Registered: 15 June 2001
Karen sent me an email saying the above listing for Castello di Fonterutoli is incorrect - must have been copied wrong. According to Capalbo it's not huge, nor do they make Brunello.
Posts: 26618 | Location: Santa Fe, NM | Registered: 15 June 2001
OOPS, there was a mistake for Fonterutoli. The inof imbedded was for Banfi. Here is the correct info:
Castello di Fonterutoli Loc. Fonterutoli Via Rossini, 5 53011 Castellina in Chianti 0577/740476 FAX 0577/741070
Owned and run by the Mazzei family since 1435, the entire property is on 1161 acres with only about 153 acres planted with vines. They made a decision to stay with their classic wines and are extremely successful. Look for the two Chianti Classico, Castell di Fonterutoil and Ser Lapo ; Concerto, Sangiovese with 20% Cabernet, and Seipi, Sangiovese with 20% Merlot.
Sorry for the confusion. Susan
Posts: 52 | Location: Wrightstown, PA | Registered: 12 March 2002
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