Vecchie Terre di Montefili winery

Vecchie Terre di Montefili is one of the historic wineries of Panzano, an oasis in the heart of Chianti, where all the winemakers have converted to organic cultivation. From the top of the hill where the winery stands, the view sweeps over the entire valley, once called Conca d’Oro (Golden Hollow), due to the fertility of the area, which was covered entirely with wheat and shone like a golden sea. Fortunately, today are the vineyards to produce gold there are only woods and vineyards around as far as the eye can see.

The soil is extremely dry, rich in stone and limestone (with silico-limestone sedimentation), of an amber yellow color that recalls the desert and is always swept by the wind. The vineyards and olive trees dot the whole hill as if they were the stands of an amphitheater (hence the name of the cellar’s top Sangiovese wine) and enjoy excellent conditions. As you walk through the vineyards, you immediately notice the painstaking care with which they are raised. Very short pruning and lots of Guyot-grown vineyards almost everywhere, but what is most striking is the space between one row and another. Here the philosophy of tight competition between plants and plants does not apply, quite the opposite: respect and balance are the keywords. “The vineyards are like men, they need living space and freedom to thrive, not induced stress.” And this respectful approach seems to work, judging by the constant quality that is repeated year after year, and we are talking about at least 30 years since the winery was born in 1979.

The wines produced are characterized by concentration: they are intense, elegant and made to defy the years. They do not hide behind barrel aging and smoky flavors: in the glass, it’s all pulp, elegance and the real Panzano terroir. Do not expect a light Chianti all cherry and freshness, those of the Vecchie Terre di Montefili are noble wines that reflect this territory as a photo: the stony ground, the woods, the brambles and blackberries, the earth, the leaves, the breezes that come from the sea.

We tasted the wines from Vecchie Terre di Montefili winery and were positively impressed. You have to believe in the terroir of Panzano because it has a lot to give and it can express an incredible finesse in the Chianti Classico typologies. Time has passed since the 70s when these lands were abandoned and cultivated with wheat and olive trees however today, fortunately, someone has invested and brought these buried treasures back to life. And sipping and reliving the history of these hills is worth a tour in Chianti.

Chianti Classico Riserva

A great varietal Sangiovese aged in Slavonian casks for twelve months. It has a dark ruby ​​color, with an intriguing nose showing off blueberries, myrtle, peonies, pepper, juniper, cocoa, and rhubarb. In the mouth it’s warm, pushed by sweet spices like cinnamon, very compact, with a freshness that is wedged between an aromatic sapidity (thyme and rosemary), earthy notes that come from the galestro and a rightly tannic, very pleasant finish. Suggest food pairings: black truffle risotto, passatelli with Parmigiano fondue and truffle, bucatini all’amatriciana, roast beef, hamburger.

Anfiteatro, Sangiovese

Ruby color. The nose shows all its splendor with a vibrant fruit, which is maturing, accompanied by a spicy trail with hints of bitter cocoa and vanilla. In the mouth it is round: ripe black cherries, plums in jam and blueberries glide over a concentrated but very fine tannin. A wine rich in extract that amazes for the multidimensionality it offers. It goes from the fleshiness of the fruit to the earthy flavors typical of Chianti, from the flavor – graphite, cinchona, and flint – to the creaminess of the spices that amplify the majesty of the fruit, but always with elegance. The earthy finish is of infinite persistence. A delicious Sangiovese to pair with pici all’aglione, Peking-lacquered duck, t-bone steak.

Bruno di Rocca

60% of Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Sangiovese. An atypical Super Tuscan, certainly impetuous and full of suggestions with hints of jam and spiciness, but with the Sangiovese that keeps up with Cabernet and makes the wine fine, never too muscular, set more on the earthy-herbaceous tone. The nose is a blooming of blueberries, with plum jelly, bay leaf, leaves, undergrowth, black olives, and mocha. In the mouth it has thickness, it moves sinuously despite the powerful body, with a tannin that illuminates the path with splashes of licorice. It would be a mistake to simply call it Super Tuscan, because thanks to the great quality of the Sangiovese, this is a great wine. Suggested food pairings: cheese like Latteria, Gorgonzola and Castelmagno, but also amazing if paired with terrine, mac and cheese, and Vitello Tonnato.

To visit the cellar or buy wines from the Vecchie Terre di Montefili winery, call 055 853739.
Email: [email protected]
How to reach the Vecchie Terre di Montefili winery: via S. Cresci, 45, Greve in Chianti, Florence
Bottles produced: between 40000 and 55000

Alfredo Ravanetti