History & more

Fonterutoli is an old medieval town, not far from Castellina in Chianti. Well preserved, thanks to the ownership of the Mazzei family. From this Idyllic place, you have fantastic views over Siena. This place is also symbolic as it is the birthplace of the ‘black rooster’, the symbol of Chianti Classico.

A long-lasting bond unites the Mazzei family with Tuscany and wines since the XI century.
Ser Lapo Mazzei is the author of the first known document to use the “Chianti” denomination in 1398; in 1435, when his granddaughter Madonna Smeralda Mazzei married Piero di Agnolo da Fonterutoli, the holding became part of the family’s estate. Since then, for 24 generations, the Mazzei family produces wine at Castello di Fonterutoli, which even after its recent expansion still remains the beating heart of the company.

The Wines

Since more than six hundred years, the Mazzei family produces unique wines with spirit and passion renewed from generation to generation.
At Fonterutoli, as well as at Belguardo (Maremma, along the Tuscan coast) and Zisola (Sicily), resides the same philosophy that aims to promote local vine varieties as an expression of the identity of the region, in respect of diversity and nature, via sustainable agriculture and improvements mindful of the delicate hydro-geologic balance, in order to prevent soil erosion and maximize water reserves in the region. All of this in order to be able to hand the land intact to future generations.

At Fonterutoli they produce Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, 3 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione’s and Super Tuscans.

Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 

This Chianti Classico comes from separate vinification of the different parcels, which spread across a unique range of soil and climate types, at an altitude between 220 to 570 meters above sea level in the heart of the Chianti Classico area. It is the flagship and the “Best Seller” of Mazzei and a benchmark for all Chianti Classico’s. 

Vicoregio36 – Castelnuovo Berardenga – Gran Selezione

From the vineyard of the same name, home to 36 different biotypes of Sangiovese deriving from fifty years of research. This Vineyard is located in Castelnuovo Berardenga, on a plateau with good sun exposure by day but with a wide diurnal temperature range, at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level, and is characterized by clay-rich alberese soil with abundant skeleton gravel. The result is a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione where Sangiovese is expressed in the warmest version: an intense, deep-coloured wine with a rich bouquet.

Castello di Fonterutoli – Castellina in Chianti – Gran Selezione

Born in 1995, anticipating the Gran Selezione, starting from the 2017 vintage it derives from a selection of 11 of the best vineyard plots surrounding the hamlet of Fonterutoli. In Castellina in Chianti, the microclimate is the result of a perfect balance between a medium to high hilly position and a vineyard angled to catch the heat that rises from the Val d’Elsa valley below. A healthy diurnal range is guaranteed by the woods above the vines, which bring cool currents of air by night. An ideal microclimate which, combined with the characteristics of the soil rich in Alberese rocks, gives a perfect fusion of elegance, structure and minerality.

Badiòla – Radda in Chianti – Gran Selezione

An innate elegance and freshness, hints of berries and red fruits for this wine that is born at 570 m above sea level, from vineyards that are among the highest in the Chianti Classico, with soil composed of Galestro and Sandstone. The municipality of Radda in Chianti, where the vineyards are located, benefits from an overall cool current even in the height of summer, with mean daily temperatures the lowest of any of the estate’s vineyards. Budding and ripening are therefore generally delayed, with the harvest usually taking place around mid-October.

Hospitality

Tours and tastings

At Fonterutoli you can enjoy different types of tours. From a classic tour in the winery with a small tasting to a complete VIP treatment with a private tour, exclusive tasting and lunch at the Osteria.

Rooms and suites 

If you are looking for a place to stay when you are in the Chianti region, Fonterutoli also has some beautiful rooms, suites and apartments. Here they offer a wide range of experiences, from hiking and horse riding to a relaxing wellness treatment.

Food 

At the Osteria Fonterutoli you can enjoy local dishes at high level, paired with the best wines of the Mazzei family. You can also learn how to cook all those wonderful Tuscan dishes in their cooking class.

A special thanks to Licata Vini for organizing this visit, to Giulia for guiding us around this beautiful estate and to Francesco Mazzei for sharing his passion and great wines with us.

Loc. Fonterutoli – Castellina in Chianti (SI)

Tel: +39 0577 741385

[email protected] (for a beautiful stay)

[email protected] (for winery tours)

[email protected] (for lunch or dinner)

Licata Vini

Duifhuisweg 12,
3590 Diepenbeek, België
(t) +32 (0)11 / 22 20 37
(e) [email protected]