Fonterutoli Chianti Classico

The first time the term “chianti” was used to indicate a particular wine produced in Tuscany (Italy) was by Ser Lapo, a wine scholar and ancestor of one of the most famous and richest wine-producing families in the region, the Mazzei. They run a stately winery located in the Castello di Fonterutoli estate in the province of Siena, in the heart of Chianti Classico, and their flagship wine is Fonterutoli Chianti Classico, a benchmark for the whole category.

Also known as “vino dei sassi” or “rock wine”, Fonterutoli Chianti Classico is born on the estate itself, on the hills overlooking the Val d'Elsa, at an altitude of 220 to 550 metres above sea level. Made from Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera and Colorino grapes, the unusual thing about these 120 plots lies in the soil composition. A rocky terroir with limestone and sandstone boulders (hence the name “rock wine”), which leads to a lower production, but guarantees superior quality. The good exposure of the vineyards to sunlight, the excellent soil and microclimate, as well as the density of the vines, result in a grape that is perfect for making a complex, elegant and powerful wine. The main cultivation work is done by hand and the harvest, also carried out entirely by hand, happens in different stages so that the grapes reach the winery at the optimum point of ripeness. In the winery, the grapes ferment and macerate for 16-18 days at a controlled temperature of 26-28°C. The wine is then aged for 12 months in oak barrels, 40% of which are new.

Elegant and noble, Fonterutoli Chianti Classico is a beautiful expression of one of Italy’s most prized denominations. A red rock wine that is a classic of Tuscany’s aristocratic viticulture.