Description

The Fontodi estate, one of Tuscany’s star estates, is located in Panzano at the center of the Chianti Classico region. Owned by the Manetti family since 1968, son Giovanni (with the help of oenologist Franco Bernabei) produces Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva “Vigna del Sorbo,” a Super-Tuscan named “Flaccianello della Pieve,” and a Syrah and Pinot Nero bottled under the Case Via label.

History

The Fontodi estate was purchased in 1968 by brothers Dino and Domiziano Manetti and is run today by the next generation, brothers Giovanni and Marco Manetti. The Manetti family—who have a long history of fine terracotta production in Tuscany—took what was an abandoned plot and replanted and resorted it between 1969 and 1974.

Today, Fontodi is a certified organic estate that extends over 130 hectares, of which 70 are planted with vines, with 90 percent of those vines being Sangiovese vines.

Production

Winemaker Franco Bernabei has been working with Fontodi since 1979. The Fontodi Chianti Classico and Riserva bottlings extend back to the 1970s, with the first vintage of Flaccianello della Pieve in 1981. Since then, the Fontodi estate has produced a limited number of wines from the Syrah, Pinot Nero, Sauvignon, Vin Santo, and Olive Oil.