Fontodi — Sangiovese’s Soul in the Heart of Chianti Classico

Set in the picturesque “Conca del Oro” valley of Panzano in Chianti, Fontodi is a prestigious family estate led by Giovanni Manetti since the late 1980s. Under his stewardship, the estate has become synonymous with sustainable viticulture and the purest expression of Sangiovese.

Philosophy & Leadership

  • Owner & winemaker: Giovanni Manetti, active since the 1980s and current president of the Chianti Classico Consortium, advocates a terroir-driven, authentic, and sustainable approach.

  • Fully organic, Fontodi employs composting, cover crops, and biodiversity preservation. The estate is part of a regional initiative fostering ecological winemaking.

Terroir & Vineyards

  • Spanning over 130 hectares, with 70–80 hectares under vine, planted on limestone-clay schist soils (galestro) at 400–500 m elevation.

  • The Conca del Oro amphitheater offers optimal sun exposure, daytime warmth, cool nights, and drainage—all ideal for Sangiovese.

Winemaking & Cellar

  • The cellar, completed in 1998, is gravity-flow across multiple levels: hand harvesting, careful sorting, temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel, no mechanical pumping.

  • Fermentations use indigenous yeasts and last 20–21 days, followed by aging in French oak (new and older, with a preference for non-toasted barrels to retain freshness).

  • The Chianti Classico is aged for at least 18 months, while prestige cuvées like Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo and Flaccianello della Pieve enjoy extended aging with significant new oak.

Iconic Wines

  • Chianti Classico Fontodi: 100 % Sangiovese, elegant, floral, vibrant.

  • Vigna del Sorbo (Gran Selezione): pure Sangiovese from a single vineyard, expressive and refined.

  • Flaccianello della Pieve: 100 % Sangiovese Super‑Tuscan, precise and powerful.

  • Via: Syrah & Pinot Noir blend, a successful homage to Burgundian grapes, now part of the estate’s identity.

Wine Style

Fontodi wines are marked by freshness, mineral clarity, aromatic depth, and silky structure, showcasing Sangiovese’s finesse and aging potential.

Visitor Experience & Role

Visits are available upon request. Fontodi is instrumental in advancing regional sustainable viticulture, helping to establish an experimental viticulture station that benefits Panzano’s ecosystem.

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