Fontodi & Vallone di Cecione Wineries in Panzano
In Chianti Classico wine region in Tuscany, Panzano is one of the cutest towns. It is located south of Florence on the Chiantigiana (SS222), beyond the town of Greve. Panzano is a rather quiet town with Piazza Bucciarelli at its core. It is home to a number of wineries including Vallone di Cecione and the well-known Fontodi. Both wineries are located in the conca d’oro, meaning golden shell. The name comes from its shape as an amphitheatre and from the color of the wheat they used to grow there. Moreover the Golden Valley is known for its soil compositions, sun exposure and fluctuations between day and night temperatures, thanks to the 500 meter above sea level position, but mostly for the high concentration of organic and biodynamic wineries, recognized as the first area to choose the organic philosophy back in the 60s.
Our wineries selection in this area are Fontodi and Vallone di Cecione.
Fontodi
One of the Chianti Classico’s well respected producers, Fontodi has been managed by the Manetti family since 1968. Fontodi is a winery taking great pride in the Sangiovese grape. Their flagship wine is Flaccianello, one of the 100 top wines from Wine Spectator, which is produced with 100% Sangiovese. In fact, Fontodi believes that producing Sangiovese by itself reflects the best expression of the land, for this reason this winery is organic and biodynamic. The Flaccianello della Pieve IGT, Super Tuscan wine comes from Fontodi’s best vineyard site. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for minimum 2 years. The result is a wine deep ruby in color with an intense bouquet of blackberries and cherries. On the palate it is full-bodied, intense, structured and well-balanced wine with a long persistent finish.
Vallone di Cecione
Vallone di Cecione is a small family run business. The owner is the Anichini family.
Back in 1961 Giuliano Anichini bought the land that today is Vallone di Cecione, but had to share the crops with the master of the land. Struggling to support the family on half the proceeds, he had the opportunity to purchase the land in the mid 80’s. After a year of working 18 hour days with his wife they finally purchased the land for themselves. As of 2001 the winery is operated by one of the youngest winemakers of the region, Francesco Anichini.
With about 4 hectares of vineyards, the winery produces both organic and biodynamic wines. Along with Sangiovese, they work with ancient grapes like Malvasia nera and Canaiolo. Here is a list of some of their wines.
From 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo, it ferments in steel for 20 days with 3-4 months on the lees. Then, the wine is aged in large oak barrels for 8 months. Filled with cherry and violets it’s a fresh, approachable and easy drinking wine.
It is produced from their best grapes and made of 100% Sangiovese. The wine is named after the land where his grandfather Giovanni cultivated the soil for vegetables and barley. Vinified in cement vats for 40 days plus an additional year aged in large oak barrels. The wine is ruby red in color with a hint of spice and enveloping tannins. It’s a complex wine with elegance and a persistent finish.
It is produced with 100% Canaiolo. Francesco wanted to create a wine with a lesser known grape that represents the roots of Chianti. It is fermented 10 days with the skins and an additional 2 months of aging in cement vats. Florally with a bouquet of wildflowers. It’s a pleasant wine without intrusive tannins and a long finish.
It is 100% Malvasia Nera. The grapes are sourced from their Allegra vineyard named after their daughter. A very small production of only 800 bottles. This wine spends 10 days in cement vats with an additional 1-2 months on the lees. It’s then aged 6 months in terracotta amphorae. Intense ruby in color with ripe fruit, a hint of spice and black pepper. Complex and elegant with harmonious tannins.
Jennifer Martin
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