San Felice is located in the heart of the Chianti Classical zone and a few miles from Castel Berardenga and Siena.
I have been drinking and enjoying the wines a San Felice for a many years. Owned by the Grisaldi del Taja family from 1700 to 1968, the estate was acquired by the Allianza Group in the 1970’s, Today it spans about 685 hectares across Tuscany’s prestigious wine producing areas: Chianti Classico Montalcino and Bolgheri. The estate is home to the Vitiarium Collection and the Borgo San Felice Relais & Chareau.
Recently, I was introduced to their new line of wines called the Vitiarium Collection. The collection includes Borgo Chianti Classico DOCG, Pugnitello Toscana IGT, In Avane Toscana IGT (a white wine), and La Pieve Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione—each an authentic expression of a land where tradition and innovation meet. These four wines of the Vitiarium line are the result of over twenty years of research and innovation dedicated to rediscovering native grape varieties through the experimental project in the Vitiarium vineyard. These labels share a common purpose: to tell the story of an historic winemaking estate, the very place where, in 1968, Vigorello—the first of the Supertuscans—was introduced to the world. In both 2001 and 2022 San Felice obtained Equalitas — Standard SOPD Sustainable Organization (SO) certification recognizing their commitment to sustainability.
The Vitiarium Collection
In Avane Chardonnay Toscana 2022 made from mostly Chardonnay from San Felice (Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena). In Avane, from “Avenal” the Etruscan name of the area, encloses a trace of the ancient culture present in the territory of San Felice. The soil is of medium-textured, predominantly calcareous marl, breakdown of alberese and galestro limestones and the training system is spur-pruned cordon. Harvest takes place by hand the first week of September in the early morning hours. Maceration at a temperature of 8° C. Fermentation predominantly in steel and partly in oak barrels. Bottle aging for a few months before release. The wine has hints of citrus, white flowers, peach, pear, with a note of acacia and a touch of melon. $33
Borgo Chianti Classico 2022 DOCG made from Sangiovese and Pugnitello. The vineyard is located Castlenuovo Berardenga. Soil is medium-textured, predominantly calcareous marl breakdown of galestro limestones, with a abundant gravel-pebble mix. The training system is cordoned speronato and guyot. Harvest is the third week September to the first week of October. Vinification is in stainless steel for 2 weeks separately for each variety. Aging for approximately 12 months in large Slavonian oak barrels. The wine has hints of black fruit, blackberries, blueberries, black cherry and plum. $33
Pugnitello Tuscan IGT 2021 made from 100% Pugnitello. Pugnitello is an ancient Tuscan native grape variety whose name means little fist, because of the shape of the clusters. Following its rediscovery, it has been researched, in collaboration with the universities of Florence and Pisa, in San Felice’s experimental vineyard. The wine is the fruit of 20 years of study and experimentation focused on saving native Tuscan grapes from extinction. The vineyard is located Castlenuovo Berardenga (Siena). Soil is medium-textured, predominantly calcareous marl breakdown of galestro limestones, with an abundant gravel-pebble mix. The training system is guyot. Harvest takes place the first week of October. There is a 20-25 day fermentation on the skins at 30C, followed by malolactic fermentation. Aging of the wine is in 225-liter French oak barriques for 18 to 20 months and 8 months in the bottle before release. This is a full bodied concentrated wine with hints of wild fruit preserves of black and red fruit, blackcurrants, cherries, cinnamon, clove, a touch of tobacco and a hint of spice. This is a wine that will age. $69
The 2021 vintage produced high-quality and healthy grapes
Chianti Classico Grande Selezione “La Pieve” 2021 San Felice Made from Sangiovese and other native vines from the finest company vineyards. The soil is of medium texture with a predominance of clay of calcareous-marly origin, derived from the disintegration of Alberese and Galestro. The training system is cordone speronato and guyot. Harvest is the 4th week of September. Alcoholic fermentation in steel tanks, with maceration for 22 days at a temperature of 28–30°C. Malolactic fermentation and aging in wood for 24 months. Refinement in French oak tonneaux of 500 liters. Bottle aging for 8 months. This is a full bodied wine with hints of violet, black currents and spice with a touch of tobacco and a hint of licorice. This is a true expression of Chianti Classico. This wine will age for 10 to 15 years. $50
