Le Cinciole

Husband and wife team Luca and Valeria are perhaps the most simpatico winemakers I've ever met in Tuscany.  They generously open their home to lovers of Chianti Classico regional wines, sharing their passion and conviction for making natural wines that express the very-local terroir of Panzano.  If you visit, be prepared to be swept off your feet with the genuine passion of this small but impressive producer.

Luca tends the vineyards and makes the wine, while Valeria tends to the business of selling their tiny production of just 4000 cases annually.  Amelia will take your reservation and warmly greet you in their homey Tasting Room.  No, there is no tasting fee.

Le Cinciole (to find the origin of the name, ask Valeria "who was Quintius?") produces about 35,000 bottles of Chianti Classico using natural winemaking techniques. This is a pure and authentic Chianti Classico. If you’re looking for the “taste of Tuscany,” this is the wine that embodies it best.

After tasting their Chianti Classico normale, move onto their Petresco Riserva -- this wine will blow your socks off. Luca has created a wine that technical meets the Chianti Classico Riserva requirements, but he'd rather not call it that.  He thinks it's the best wine in its class, and I can't disagree with him. With just 350 cases produced annually, it's not easy to come by. You may want to buy some bottles while you're there.

Luca has also been experimenting with a rather interesting Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah-Merlot blend (70% - 15% - 15%) called Camalaione.  The name is a mouthful, and so is the wine -- as in big, delicious, and having you jonesing for more when you get home.  You may find, as I did, that this part of Tuscany can do some impressive things with international varietals.

If you'd like to try some of their wines before (or after!) your visit, see what we have in our Wine Shop.

Say Hi to their very friendly winery pooch, Vicki, when you arrive.  She likes to chase rocks.