Fontodi
Panzano in Chianti (Greve in Chianti), Tuscany
Giovanni Manetti's father bought Fontodi in 1968, and the family moved out from Florence two years later. Giovanni was running the winery by 18, and today he also chairs the Chianti Classico consortium. The Manettis have made terracotta for centuries, and their tiles cover historic buildings across Florence.
The estate sits in the Conca d'Oro, the south-facing bowl below Panzano. It has more than 100 hectares of vines, farmed organically since 1990, with compost made from the manure of its own Chianina cattle. The winery is built on descending levels so gravity moves the wine, and every bottle comes from Fontodi's own grapes.
Flaccianello, first made in 1981, is pure Sangiovese and one of the wines that pushed Chianti to change its rules in 1984. Vigna del Sorbo is the Gran Selezione from old vines. Giovanni's son Bernardo now shares the winemaking.
My scores
- Wines reviewed
- 4
- Scores
- 94 to 98
The one to try first
982023 Flaccianello della Pieve, 98 pointsIn my articles
Wines I've tasted
Chianti Classico DOCG
Fontodi Chianti Classico 2023
“Two years in seasoned French oak, split between large casks and barriques, give the 2023 Fontodi Chianti Classico its polish without any…”
Chianti Classico DOCG
Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2023
“Rooted largely in schist, the 2023 Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione spent its first year in 33% new French oak before moving to…”
Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT
Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve 2023
“First bottled in 1981, when Chianti was mired in a crisis of overproduction and slipping quality, Flaccianello has long stood as Fontodi’s…”
Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT
Fontodi Meriggio 2024
“A light, glowing lemon core thins to a watery rim in the 2024 Fontodi Meriggio Sauvignon Blanc from Tuscany, a blend of 95% Sauvignon Blanc…”