FATTORIA SELVAPIANA

Tuscany, Italy

Selvapiana is a classic Tuscan fattoria located in the Chianti Rufina zone east of Florence, situated on 240 hectares, 45 of which are devoted to vineyards and 31 to olives. It was originally a summer residence for the Florentine bishops and then later belonged to a series of Florentine merchant families. Purchased in 1827 by Michele Giuntini Selvapiana, since 1957 it has been run by the fifth generation Giuntini family member, Francesco Giuntini Antinori, With great energy and intelligence Francesco has worked to restore the prestige that Chianti Rufina enjoyed up until 1716, the year of the famous proclamation of Cosimo III de'Medici, when the Pomino denomination was recognized as one of the most important in Tuscany. In recent years the estate has been managed by Silvia and Federico Giuntini Masseti who are loyal to the path forged by Francesco, and continue to work closely with Franco Bernabei, the consulting oenologist at Selvapiana since 1978.

Rufina's soil of galestro mixed with limestone and clay combined with its proximity to the Apennines--with vineyards at 400m--provide a special micro-climate for longer ripening fruit with higher acidity. Selvapiana's reputation is based on producing red wines of considerable longevity and terroir from this unique location. Along with the vintage Chianti Rufina, there are also two particularly fine crus: the now legendary Chianti Rufina Riserva Bucerchiale, and Fornace, a blend of the estate's Sangiovese and international varietals. The product range is completed by Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina and Olio Extra Vergine d'Oliva. The Selvapiana estate also manages the Fattoria Petrognano, which was built around an ancient medieval tower and purchased in 1860 by the Budini Gattai family, after having previously been the property of the bishopric of Fiesole. This Fattoria produces an excellent Pomino Rosso DOC.

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