Story: Fontodi | Tuscany
Page: 1/1

Historical heritage and new perspectives
The Fontodi winery, idyllically nestled in the gentle hills of Panzano, is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico region - a region with a centuries-old wine-growing tradition. Vines are said to have been cultivated in this privileged location as early as Roman times. The current location of the estate, known by its historical name Via, has documented traces of viticulture dating back to the 16th century. Although the Manetti family did not originally come from a wine-growing background, but had been active in Tuscany for three centuries as a manufacturer of high-quality terracotta products, they turned over a new leaf in 1968 and acquired the Fontodi vineyard, which was lying fallow at the time. A bold move - and, as it turned out, an extremely successful one.

---

The Manetti family's signature
Today, Giovanni Manetti runs the 70-hectare winery together with his cousin Marco with passion and consistency. Giovanni joined the family business in 1979 and from then on shaped the style of Fontodi. He recognized the importance of qualified expertise early on and brought Franco Bernabei, one of Italy's most renowned oenologists, on board. Together, they optimized the processes in the cellar without losing sight of traditional values. A significant step forward was the completion of a modern wine cellar in 1998, in which fermentation takes place under controlled conditions in stainless steel tanks. The principle of gravity is used consistently - instead of pumps, the wine is gently guided into the barrel cellar below, where it matures in French oak barrels. Untoasted barrels are predominantly used to preserve the freshness and purity of the fruit.

---

Conca d'Oro - the golden heart of Chianti
Fontodi's vineyards extend across the legendary Conca d'Oro valley, a natural hollow that offers ideal conditions for Sangiovese cultivation thanks to its southern exposure, optimal altitude and calcareous clay soil. Here, the terroir is just as present as the philosophy of the estate: organic and increasingly biodynamic cultivation, manual harvesting, low yields and the desire to create great wines with character. The Manetti family impressively demonstrates that authenticity, sustainability and elegance in viticulture are not opposites, but mutually reinforcing.

---

A portfolio with style and vision
The Fontodi range is as clearly structured as it is versatile. The classic Chianti Classico shows the potential of the region in its purest form: a pure Sangiovese with fine fruit, lively acidity and regional typicity. The Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo is one of the first wines in which Sangiovese was blended with Cabernet Sauvignon - a milestone that also attracted international attention. The single-varietal Flaccianello della Pieve, a so-called super Tuscan made exclusively from the best Sangiovese grapes, is outstanding. Year after year, it achieves the highest ratings, including from Robert Parker.

But Fontodi can also be Burgundian: the Pinot Nero, a tribute to Giovanni's apprenticeship years in Bourgogne, brings cool elegance to the range. It is complemented by a remarkable Syrah, originally planted as an experiment and now an integral part of the Via line, which embodies the more innovative side of the winery. Both wines reflect the estate's openness to new ideas without neglecting its deep roots in the Chianti tradition.

---

A winery with soul and substance
Fontodi is more than just a producer of great wines - it is a prime example of how historical depth, modern cellar technology, sustainable cultivation methods and personal passion can work together. The Manettis have turned an unused piece of Tuscan soil into a winery that is now an international leader. Their wines are the expression of a unique terroir, but also the result of intuition, patience and an uncompromising pursuit of quality. For lovers of Italian wines, Fontodi is no longer an insider's tip - it has long since become an established name. - Gerardo [TS05/25]

"The Manetti family, which has run the Fontodi winery since 1968, is a true champion of sangiovese. What has been quietly evolving at this 200-acre estate nestled in the “golden basin” known as Conca d’Ora, south of Panzano in Chianti Classico, is its progressive pursuit to seek the sangiovese grape’s fullest expression.

Starting from its 2012 vintage, this certified organic winery is reforming its single vineyard wine Vigna del Sorbo, eradicating the cabernet sauvignon grape in the blend completely and making pure sangiovese. The ratio of cabernet has been gradually decreasing from 10 percent in the 2010 vintage to five percent in 2011 until it was finally reduced to zero with the winery’s sweeping decision to root out the grape variety completely for future vintages.' - Natalie Wang (James Suckling)