James Suckling 91

A real Chianti here, with intensity and finesse. Medium body, light tannins and plenty of dark-fruit character. Nicely done. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.

About the Winery

Tenuta San Vito lies in the hills of the Chianti Colli Fiorentini, 18 kilometers from Florence. The estate has always been characterized by high-quality agricultural products combined with a deep respect for the environment and for protecting the health of the land. The property includes 30 hectares of vines, 20 hectares of olive groves and 100 hectares of forest, which surrounds the entire estate serving as a buffer against its neighbors.

The modern history of Tenuta San Vito began when Roberto Drighi purchased this land in 1960. By 1980 his daughter Laura came to recognize the negative impact of chemical treatments on the land and their produce. A trained psychologist, she overcame her father’s and his staff’s initial opposition and convinced them that organic farming was the way. Today this commitment is carried forward by Neri Gazulli, who is now in charge of the property.

Since 1982 San Vito has been cultivating its crops in accordance with organic principles, producing its wines and olive oils without any use of weed-killers, pesticides, or synthetic chemical treatments. They are one of the very first properties in Tuscany to adopt organic viticulture, and from 1985 on, all of San Vito's products have been certified organic. While vineyards that have recently been converted to organic from conventional farming can sometimes harbor small amounts of chemicals for several years after conversion, nearly four decades of steadfast organic cultivation means there are no longer any traces of chemical treatments in the soil or vines here.

Over the years, the spurred cordon method of vine training has replaced the older Guyot system, allowing the adoption of more modern vineyard management practices. The wines are fermented in stainless-steel vats and aged in Slavonian and French oak, as well as some glass-lined concrete vats. Attilio Pagli, San Vito's current winemaker, was born in Tuscany and pursued his professional studies in Italy; his numerous contacts on the international scene allowed him to deepen his oenological experience. Pagli carefully oversees every step of the harvest, wine making, and ageing of the wines.



www.San-Vito.com