Fontodi
Summary
Fontodi, operated by the Manetti family since 1968, cultivates 70 hectares of predominantly Sangiovese vineyards in Chianti Classico's Conca d'Oro valley, where galestro and limestone soils at 400-600 meters elevation shape their wines. The estate combines traditional methods with modern precision through their gravity-flow winery and organic practices.
Heritage & Leadership
The Manetti family acquired Fontodi in 1968, marking the beginning of their stewardship of this historic property in Panzano's Conca d'Oro valley. Giovanni Manetti, who assumed leadership in 1979, has guided the estate's development for over four decades. The property's transformation included the construction of a modern gravity-flow winery in 1981 and the completion of a new cellar in 1998, both designed to maximize quality while minimizing environmental impact.
Vineyards & Wines
Fontodi's 130-hectare property includes 70 hectares of organically-certified vineyards situated in the Conca d'Oro (Golden Shell) of Panzano in Chianti. The vineyards lie at elevations between 400 and 600 meters above sea level, with soils composed primarily of galestro and limestone. Sangiovese comprises 80% of plantings, with the remainder dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon and small parcels of other indigenous varieties. The estate's flagship wine, Flaccianello della Pieve, comes from select Sangiovese parcels within these holdings.
Philosophy & Practice
Fontodi operates under certified organic protocols, achieved in 2008. The gravity-flow winery eliminates pumping, allowing gentle handling of grapes and must. Fermentation occurs exclusively with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled concrete tanks. The aging program utilizes large French oak casks for Chianti Classico and a combination of barriques and tonneaux for Flaccianello. The estate maintains a strict grape selection process, with manual harvesting and sorting standard across all vineyard parcels.