Domaine Fontodi, situated in the amphitheater-shaped "Conca d’Oro" valley near Panzano in Chianti, Tuscany, is one of the region’s most respected wineries. Established by the Manetti family in 1968, the estate spans approximately 130 hectares, with around 70–80 hectares under vine at elevations between 400–500 meters. The estate boasts rich galestro soils—a blend of clay, marl, schist, and limestone—that impart structure and minerality to its wines. Fontodi is fully organic and has increasingly applied biodynamic principles since the 1990s, aided by compost, cover crops, and their own herd of Chianina cattle to enrich soil health.
Domaine Fontodi: The Golden Standard of Chianti Classico
Under Giovanni Manetti’s leadership since the 1980s, Fontodi engaged renowned consultant enologist Franco Bernabei to refine its style, blending tradition with modern winemaking. The estate’s flagship wine, Flaccianello della Pieve, launched in 1981, is made entirely from Sangiovese and barreled in French oak for elegance and depth. Another cornerstone label is the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo, once a blend with Cabernet Sauvignon but now 100% Sangiovese, aged for over 30 months before release. Their standard Chianti Classico DOCG is fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel and aged 12–18 months in oak, offering vibrant cherry fruit, savory herbs, and balanced acidity.
Fontodi also produces varietal wines, including Case Via Syrah, Pinot Nero, and the aromatic white Meriggio Sauvignon Blanc, offering stylistic diversity rooted in the Conca d’Oro terroir. Vinification practices emphasize gravity-fed cellars and gentle handling to preserve fruit integrity and elegance. All wines see native yeast fermentation and aging in French oak barrels—mostly neutral wood—for optimal fruit expression. Annual output is approximately 300,000–400,000 bottles, with around 80% exported to over 130 countries.
Fontodi’s wines regularly score in the high 90s from critics like Robert Parker and James Suckling, including 100-point vintages for Flaccianello and Vigna del Sorbo. As the current president of the Chianti Classico Consorzio, Giovanni Manetti continues to play a key role in defining the region's standards and promoting site-specific viticulture. Combining disciplined organic farming, intelligent winemaking, and a deep sense of terroir, Fontodi stands as both a traditional leader and a forward-looking model in Tuscan wine excellence.
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Name: Fontodi
Address: Via San Leolino 89
Postal code, City: 50022 Panzano In Chianti (FI)
Country: Italy
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.fontodi.com