2020 Castello di Volpaia "Balifico", Tuscany, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

The 2020 wine production started early due to a warm winter and spring. Although temperatures dropped briefly in June, they quickly rose again and remained high throughout the summer. We had a dry winter but rainfall increased in May and the first half of June, before stopping almost entirely over the summer. Rain returned towards the end of August and during the harvest. The grapes were healthy, even those harvested later when the rain had begun again. In 2020, Volpaia wines have good acidity levels without excessive alcohol content, and are less concentrated but more elegant than in previous years. 65% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 18 months in new French oak. 

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Volpaia dates back to 1172. In 1250, Volpaia was a founding member of the Lega del Chianti (Chianti League). The Florentine Republic formed the Lega by dividing its communities into three districts — Castellina, Radda, Gaiole — and allotting each a certain amount of territory. Volpaia was included in the League’s Terziere di Radda. The territories were front-line garrison towns for Florence in the Florentine-Sienese wars, and the emblem for the Chianti League was the “Gallo Nero,” or “Black Rooster” — the current trademark for Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico.

One of the highest-elevation winery in the Chianti area, Castello di Volpaia owns 46 hectares (114 acres) of vineyards, which are situated at 450 to 600 meters (1,300 to 2,130 feet) on the southern hillsides leading up to the village.

Volpaia is committed to organic farming practices in all of its estate vineyards and complies with all of the organic viticulture legislation in the production of its wines (European Community Legislation, rg CE 834/2007 Organic Agricolture; EU Certification 203/3012 for Organic Wine; Controller Q Certificazioni srl).