Fontodi

Nestled in the heart of Chianti Classico's Conca d'Oro lies Fontodi, a prestigious Tuscan estate managed by the Manetti family since 1968. While the winery began operations that year, the Manetti's have operated a terracotta tiling business for hundreds of years, dating back to 1780. Today, both businesses thrive, with Fontodi creating pristine Sangiovese wines and Manetti Gusmano & Figli gaining traction from other wineries thanks to an upsurge in the use of terracotta amorphae for organic winemaking.

The Manetti's Makeover Fontodi

Dino Manetti purchased a decaying Fontodi estate in 1968 and led the charge at the new winery for a decade before handing over the reins to his son, Giovanni. Once taken over, Giovanni partnered with winemaker and consultant Franco Barnabei to improve the estate's wines and winemaking process. Acting as a dynamic duo, the pair brought Fontodi to new heights, elevating the estate into one of the first "Super Tuscans." The flagship vintage, Flacianello della Pieve, was introduced in 1981 and is entirely comprised of Sangiovese. Drawing praise for its richness, elevated acidity, and dark fruit flavors, Flacionella quickly garnered a reputation for being one of Tuscany's top Sangiovese wines. 

The Golden Basin

Fontodi winery owes much of its success to its famous terroir, the Conca d'Oro, known for its amphitheater shape. The region has been famous for centuries and carries a strong tradition of quality wine cultivation. A unique combination of a high altitude, calcar clay soil, and a fantastic micro-climate create the perfect conditions for Sangiovese and other varietals to grow. The Fontodi vineyard, specifically, is located at a higher altitude than average at over 500 meters, placing the vineyard in one of the coolest locations in the basin.

Lots of light enters the estate as well, allowing the grapes to seamlessly reach full maturity. Moreover, the temperature fluctuates drastically from warm and dry weather during the day to a marked difference in the night. On the whole, Fontodi's positioning within the golden basin adds up to the perfect formula for creating world-class Tuscan wines. 

Respect & Quality of the Land

In total, the Fontodi estate encompasses 130 hectares of which 70 are planted with vines. Each grape is handpicked by the estateman and closely inspected before being chosen for vinification. Once picked, the grapes are treated carefully and delicately, emphasizing Fontodi's attention to the character of the vines and territory; the estate is certified organic and uses no chemical products in its processes. Each wine is aged in the modern cellar, which is built on descending levels to aid the vinification process. In the cellar, red wines are fermented in temperature-controlled steel tanks while the Pinot Nore (Noir) are set in conical wooden vats. 

Additional biodynamic processes include the introduction of Chianina, a special breed of Tuscan white cows that owner Giovanni grew up with on the vineyard. In 2000, he realized he missed seeing the cows roam the property and decided to bring back tradition to the vineyard. Through new biodynamic methods, the vines are producing more richness, complexity, and intensity, allowing them to age longer than their predecessors. And, as the vines have aged more beautifully, Fontodi has increased production of Cabernet Sauvignon to pair with the already-grown Sangiovese. 

Flaccianello della Pieve: A 'Super Tuscan' Titan

Once released in 1981, Flaccianello della Pieve quickly became one of Tuscany's most lauded wines, entering the elite status with names like Ornellaia, Sassicaia, Tignanello, and Solaia. Drawing praise from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, the 2016 vintage hit the 100-point mark, cementing the flagship as Sangiovese perfection. Noted as having amazing depth and poise, recent vintages of Flaccianello della Pieve have also garnered recognition for exploding on the palate with defined flavors and juiciness.

Tuscan Excellence for Your Cellar

Grabbing a bottle of Fontodi wine for your cellar is more than just acquiring a new wine, you will be painting a picture of an elegant Tuscan landscape for your collection. Perfect for lovers of tangy flavors and evident acidity, this Sangiovese is truly unforgettable.