Poggio Scalette
Summary
Poggio Scalette is a family-run estate established in the 1990s by Vittorio Fiore in Tuscany's Ruffoli hills, focusing on Sangiovese-based wines from 15-20 hectares of terraced vineyards with southern exposure and classic galestro and alberese soils. Their balanced approach combines traditional methods with modern precision, producing distinctive IGT Toscana wines from old-vine Sangiovese that have quietly earned them recognition among Super Tuscan producers despite their relatively recent establishment.
Heritage & Leadership
Poggio Scalette was established in the early 1990s by Vittorio Fiore and his wife Adriana Assjè di Marcorà in the Ruffoli hills of Greve in Chianti, Tuscany. The estate's name—"Scalette" meaning "little stairs" in Italian—references the distinctive terraced vineyards that characterize the property. Before the Fiore family's acquisition, the land had been abandoned following World War II.Vittorio Fiore brought substantial expertise to the venture, having worked as a consulting enologist for numerous Tuscan estates prior to founding Poggio Scalette. Today, the estate remains under Fiore family ownership, with son Jurij Fiore taking a prominent role in the winemaking operations. This family continuity has allowed Poggio Scalette to maintain a consistent vision while evolving its practices.The cornerstone of the estate is the historic "Il Carbonaione" vineyard, which contains old Sangiovese vines and lends its name to their flagship wine.
Vineyards & Wines
Poggio Scalette's vineyards span approximately 15-20 hectares in the Ruffoli hills of Greve in Chianti. The vineyards benefit from elevations between 400-500 meters above sea level and favorable southern exposure, creating optimal conditions for grape ripening. The soil composition includes galestro (a rocky, schistous clay) and alberese limestone—both characteristic of the Chianti region and well-suited to quality viticulture.The estate focuses primarily on Sangiovese, the traditional grape variety of Tuscany. Their flagship wine, "Il Carbonaione," is produced entirely from Sangiovese grapes grown in their namesake vineyard. This wine exemplifies the potential of Sangiovese when grown in optimal conditions and handled with care.In addition to Il Carbonaione, Poggio Scalette produces "Piantonaia," a blend that incorporates international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot alongside Tuscan grapes. All of the estate's wines are classified under the IGT Toscana designation, allowing the winemakers flexibility beyond the strict requirements of the Chianti Classico DOCG.
Philosophy & Practice
Poggio Scalette's approach to winemaking balances traditional methods with modern technology. The estate practices hand harvesting of grapes, ensuring only the highest quality fruit enters the winery. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, allowing for precise management of the vinification process.Aging protocols at Poggio Scalette involve both French oak barrels and larger oak casks. Their flagship Il Carbonaione typically ages for 14-18 months in oak before bottling, developing complexity while maintaining the characteristic expression of Sangiovese.While Il Carbonaione is composed entirely of Sangiovese, it is often classified among the "Super Tuscan" wines due to its quality-focused approach and IGT designation. This classification has helped position Poggio Scalette's wines in the premium segment of the Tuscan wine market, garnering recognition from wine critics and establishing the estate as a quality-focused producer in the competitive landscape of Tuscan winemaking.