Castello di Fonterutoli - Mazzei

The Castello di Fonterutoli estate is one of the cornerstones of Italian viticulture. This estate bears witness to a long family tradition in the world of wine. It has, in fact, been owned by the Mazzei family since 1435, a lineage that has played a major role in establishing the reputation of the Chianti Classico appellation. The Mazzei family has played a very important role in the political and cultural life of Tuscany; Ser Lapo Mazzei and his brother Lionardo cultivated vines in Carmignano, but it was his granddaughter, Madonna Smeralda, who, by marrying Piero di Agnolo da Fonterutoli in 1453, founded the estate that is still known today as Castello di Fonterutoli.

The Castello di Fonterutoli estate is situated in the municipality of Castellina in Chianti, in Tuscany, to the south of the Chianti Classico wine region. Of the estate’s 650 hectares, 110 hectares are devoted to viticulture, divided into 8 terroirs and 114 individual plots, spread across three municipalities within the Chianti Classico appellation: Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti and Castelnuovo Berardenga. Planted with Sangiovese (36 biotypes) and other local and international grape varieties (Colorino, Malvasia Nera, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon), the vineyard is situated at altitudes ranging from 220 to 570 metres, on arid, rocky soil with a mineral core, ideal for the production of fine wines. The grapes, harvested by hand, are vinified separately and aged in wooden barrels to define and enhance the potential of each plot. The wine cellar, hewn out of the rock, forms part of Toscana Wine Architecture, a network of 14 wine estates combining quality and design, whose cellars are designed by renowned architects and seamlessly integrated into the surrounding landscape whilst incorporating the very best technology. Combining tradition and modernity, the Castello di Fonterutoli estate produces a range of superb Chianti Classico DOCG red wines – including Riserva and Gran Selezione – as well as delicious Toscana IGP wines. At the forefront of quality, Mazzei’s wines “reflect a shift towards a style that prioritises freshness and vibrancy over sheer power, an approach particularly well-suited to terroir-driven wines,” according to reviews published by the highly respected wine magazine Vinous.

Castello di Fonterutoli is first and foremost a major Chianti Classico DOCG estate, but it also produces Super Tuscans that fall outside the appellation’s specifications. Indeed, Super Tuscans first appeared in the 1970s when certain Tuscan winegrowers chose to use international grape varieties, notably those from Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, etc.), in addition to or instead of Sangiovese, thereby freeing themselves from the strict rules of the Tuscan DOC/DOCG designations. This is the case for the Castello Di Fonterutoli Mazzei estate, which produces some of its wines under the Toscana IGT designation, within the regional area:

• Siepi: This prestigious wine is made from 50% Merlot and 50% Sangiovese and is one of Italy’s most renowned Super Tuscans.
• Concerto Di Fonterutoli: Blended from 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, this fine Italian red wine is also regarded as a Super Tuscan. First produced in 1981, this cuvée is even considered a flagship of the Super Tuscan movement.

What makes the Fonterutoli vineyards unique is their marked geographical fragmentation, coupled with significant variations in altitude. The plots are situated on hillsides at altitudes ranging from 220 to 570 metres.

This vertical range plays a technical role in the vine’s growth cycle. The highest plots benefit from pronounced night-time coolness, creating significant daily temperature variations. This phenomenon slows down the ripening of the grapes, thereby preserving their natural acidity and promoting the development of a complex aromatic profile, free from any heavy, warm notes.

The Communal Trilogy: the three pillars of Chianti Classico

This mosaic is not confined to a single area, but has historically centred on three major communes within the AOC, each contributing a stylistic nuance that is essential to the balance of the wines:

• Castellina in Chianti: the historic birthplace and nerve centre of the estate. The vineyards located here produce wines of great distinction, characterised by a tight yet refined tannic structure, which forms the backbone and defining identity of the estate.
• Castelnuovo Berardenga: situated further south within the appellation, this area enjoys a slightly warmer climate. The grapes grown here bring structure, body and a more generous fruit ripeness, which helps to balance the tension found in the other plots.
• Radda in Chianti: an area characterised by its altitude and cooler temperatures. The vines planted on this terroir lend the wines a briny liveliness, ethereal floral notes and vibrant acidity, ensuring the freshness and excellent ageing potential of the estate’s wines.

The Mazzei estate’s approach to winemaking is based on a detailed mapping system, which involves dividing the vineyard into 114 distinct plots. This meticulous division makes it possible to isolate homogeneous production units and to respond precisely to variations in the soil’s geology.

Geological duality: Alberese and Galestro

The estate’s subsoil is characterised by the coexistence of two major geological formations in Tuscany, which determine the behaviour of the vines and the profile of the grapes:

• Alberese: this hard, compact marly limestone of marine origin is found mainly on higher-altitude plots. It limits the vines’ vegetative growth and imposes moderate water stress. The associated clay soils retain coolness, resulting in wines built on a strict mineral framework, with pronounced acidity and upright tannins.
• Galestro: this crumbly clay-schist crumbles under the influence of the elements, allowing the roots to penetrate deep into the soil. It offers excellent permeability and stores heat during the day, releasing it at night. Plots situated on Galestro produce grapes with a more linear phenolic ripening profile, lending the wines roundness and aromatic complexity.

Operational biodiversity and forest ecosystems

Agricultural management integrates the 110 hectares of vineyards into a much larger natural environment, with minimal environmental impact. The estate’s remaining 540 hectares are covered by dense forests and olive groves. This layout is not merely for aesthetic purposes; it serves specific agricultural functions:

• Temperature regulation: forest cover moderates summer temperature rises and maintains relative humidity.
• Soil protection: wooded areas help to reduce erosion on steeply sloping plots.
• Ecological corridors: beneficial flora and fauna move freely, which helps to naturally limit the pressure from certain vine pests without resorting to routine chemical treatments.

Vineyard-specific winemaking: an extension of the vineyard into the cellar

To ensure that this careful selection of terroirs is fully appreciated, the Castello di Fonterutoli winery operates on the principle of absolute traceability. Designed on three levels to make use of gravity, it avoids the use of mechanical pumps, which could risk crushing the grapes or extracting coarse tannins during the transfer of the must.

The winery houses a series of temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats, the capacities of which are calibrated to match the harvest from each micro-terroir. Each plot is thus vinified separately, with maceration times and temperatures tailored to the potential of its native soil. The final blending takes place only at the end of the ageing process.

Within the estate, Sangiovese plays a central role and dictates all technical decisions, both in the vineyard and in the winery. The Mazzei family cultivates this traditional grape variety, seeking to bring out its intrinsic characteristics without altering its nature through corrective interventions in the winery.

A style of wine that emphasises liveliness

The estate’s technical approach stands in contrast to aggressive extraction methods and ageing heavily influenced by new oak – practices which have at times made the region’s wines too heavy in the past. The aim here is to achieve smoothness and aromatic precision.

Extraction during fermentation is carried out with care, favouring gentle pumping-over to infuse the components from the skins without hardening the tannic structure. Ageing takes place mainly in French oak barrels of varying sizes, selected for their fine grain, ensuring slow micro-oxygenation without masking the fruit with vanilla or roasted aromas.

Organoleptic profile and aromatic signature

This approach produces precise red wines that remain true to the classic profile of high-altitude Sangiovese. Sensory analysis reveals several consistent characteristics:

• The fruity profile: the nose and palate are dominated by crisp red berries, particularly morello cherries and redcurrants.
• Tertiary and spicy notes: as the wine matures, it develops notes of delicate spices, white pepper and hints of forest floor.
• Balance on the palate: the structure is underpinned by vibrant acidity. It is this thread of acidity that gives the wine its length, ensures its freshness on the finish and endows it with significant ageing potential by stabilising the body over the years.

The technical rigour and diversity of micro-terroirs at Mazzei result in a well-structured range, allowing you to explore the various facets of Tuscany. Vinatis offers a carefully curated selection, spanning the mid- to high-end segments, with affordable wines priced at around £20 and great Tuscan wines costing around £100.

sIEPI, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione… An iconic range available from Vinatis

Our selection allows you to explore the appellation’s official classification and the region’s wines, ranging from those best enjoyed young to those with great ageing potential:

• Fonterutoli Chianti Classico: the estate’s true entry-level wine, this blend is made primarily from Sangiovese grapes sourced from several of the estate’s plots, offering a crisp, clean and immediately approachable profile.
• Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva: created in homage to the family’s ancestor, Ser Lapo, who authored the first official document mentioning ‘Chianti wine’ (in 1398), this Riserva cuvée boasts a more assertive structure, extended barrel ageing and superior aromatic complexity, characterised by notes of sweet spices. A quintessential Chianti in the vein of the Tuscan fine red wines.
• Castello di Fonterutoli Gran Selezione: the pinnacle of the Chianti Classico appellation. This wine is sourced from a rigorous selection of the estate’s finest plots (around Castellina). It expresses the quintessence of the terroir with tannins of great finesse and remarkable depth.
• Siepi (Toscana IGT): this iconic cuvée is a blend of 50% Sangiovese and 50% Merlot, grown on the plot of the same name. It is a top-of-the-range wine, recognised worldwide for its perfect balance between Tuscan freshness and the roundness of the Bordeaux grape variety. An iconic cuvée and an international benchmark.
• Philip (Toscana IGT): a limited-edition cuvée paying homage to Philip Mazzei, the 18th-century forefather and great winemaker. Produced mainly from single-varietal Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine stands out for its dense structure, its black fruit aromas and its distinctly international profile, yet one that is firmly rooted in the estate’s soils. This cuvée explores the estate’s authenticity, combining traditional methods with more contemporary viticultural practices, demonstrating that Bordeaux grape varieties thrive wonderfully in the Tuscan climate.

Serving suggestions and food pairings

To bring out the nuanced aromas of these wines without masking their freshness, certain serving guidelines must be followed:

• It is recommended that these Tuscan red wines be served at between 16 °C and 18 °C. Serving them at too high a temperature would emphasise the alcohol at the expense of the grape variety’s delicate acidity.
• Whilst wines such as Fonterutoli Chianti Classico are best enjoyed whilst young, bottles such as Ser Lapo, Gran Selezione or Siepi have an ageing potential of between 10 and over 20 years, with their tannins maturing over the decades.
• The vibrancy and natural freshness of the Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico range make them perfect companions for the table. They pair well with grilled red meats, game birds, and Tuscan specialities such as bistecca alla fiorentina or dishes featuring wild mushrooms. These are wines designed to complement fine dining that will make you want to explore Tuscany.