Mugello to drink

The journey must begin at a renowned agricultural company that produces one of the most beloved wines in the area, the Canneto III Agricultural Company, located in the Spugnole area, in the Municipality of Scarperia e San Piero, along the historic Via degli Dei, near the Trebbio Castle, a UNESCO heritage site. Specialized in the production of red wine, the company sells its products directly in the cellar, made in small quantities. Canneto III wines are obtained from a precious blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, and Ciliegiolo grapes, giving them a unique flavor. Among the most appreciated is the Canneto III IGT Tuscany, a red wine that, after the harvest, rests for at least two years before being commercialized, ensuring superior quality and perfect balance. Despite the limited production, each bottle is the result of careful attention to detail, combining passion for the territory and Tuscan winemaking tradition.

We venture into the expertly cultivated countryside. We reach the Cafaggiolo Estate, in the Municipality of Scarperia e San Piero, which boasts a long winemaking tradition linked to the Medici family. The vineyards extend at the foot of the Cafaggiolo Castle, a historical symbol of the family. The company is dedicated to organic winemaking, respecting the surrounding nature. The vineyards, including the seven hectares of the Podere Fortuna, are ideal for the cultivation of Pinot Nero, thanks to the temperature difference between day and night. Small quantities of Chardonnay and Rosé are also produced. The cellar uses natural yeasts and fermentation in oak vats, with aging in small barrels to enhance the wine's characteristics. The company adopts sustainable practices, eliminating pesticides and using natural fertilizers such as grape skins. Furthermore, it is committed to environmental sustainability with a photovoltaic system for clean energy production, contributing to responsible viticulture.

We are on the outskirts of San Piero a Sieve, a stop along the famous Via degli Dei. Not far from the center is the Cortevecchia Farm, a family-run company specializing in the cultivation of Pinot Nero on a hectare of land. Founded in 2012 by Sandro Bettini, with the support of Nello Baglioni, it stands out for producing a classic method sparkling wine from Pinot Nero, a unique project in the area. The vineyards, located in an ideal area for this grape variety, benefit from a ventilated and sunny climate. The company practices organic viticulture, with a particular bush-trained vine training system to ensure proper aeration of the grape clusters. Every operation is carried out manually, from harvesting to pruning. In addition to the sparkling wine, a red wine and a rosé have also been produced, but the focus is on the "Primum Salubre Ascesa" sparkling wine, which, after 42 months of aging on the lees, stands out for its elegance and finesse, rightfully entering among the best Italian classic method sparkling wines.

From one wine to another. We are near Borgo San Lorenzo, specifically at the Baccanella Estate. Founded in the '80s by grandfather Aldo as a cereal and olive company, it transforms in the early 2000s into a winemaking reality. After developing a passion for the world of wine, the Cappetti family starts wine production, starting with a Vin Santo, "10," obtained from Chardonnay grapes and aged for over ten years. Today, the estate boasts half a hectare of vineyards, mainly cultivated with Pinot Nero and Chardonnay. In 2006, inspired by a trip to Burgundy, the Cappettis decide to cultivate Pinot Nero, noting climatic similarities with the Mugello area. The company plans to expand its vineyards, tripling the extension of vineyard lands to increase production while maintaining high quality. The Baccanella Estate aims to produce wines that reflect the character and tradition of the territory, with a focus on quality.

We savor not only great wines but also the flavors and scents that the Mugello countryside manages to offer us. We pass through the town and after a few kilometers, we arrive at the Corte Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Farm. The winery represents the essence of Tuscany, celebrating its winemaking vocation and the variety of its territories. The strength of the company lies in its estates, which produce wines rich in unique aromas and sensations, the result of a perfect balance between tradition and innovation. Behind each bottle is the work of agronomists and winemakers who, living the vineyard and the terroir, manage to capture every detail. Frescobaldi's philosophy is based on respect: for tradition, for Tuscany, and for the individual terroirs, which, thanks to a combination of soils, altitudes, and microclimates, create wines with an unmistakable personality. At the Corte Farm, it is possible to participate in wine tastings from the different estates, accompanied by local products such as oil, cheeses, and cured meats, also sourced from Frescobaldi properties.

We approach Vicchio, an important center in the heart of Mugello. Among the companies that bring prestige to these places, Terre di Giotto is mentioned, a winery located in Gattaia, founded by Michele Lorenzetti. A biology graduate, Michele approaches the world of winemaking and discovers biodynamics, finding a natural application for his scientific beliefs. In 2006, he acquires ideal lands for viticulture and plants his first vineyard at an altitude between 500 and 600 meters. The clay-limestone soils, with sandstones and schists, are perfect for biodynamics, which revives historical traditions of the territory, where the Marquis degli Albizi had planted varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Nero, and Riesling. The company extends over 3 hectares, and winemaking follows a natural process, with spontaneous fermentations in steel tanks and buried amphorae, without temperature controls, filtrations, or clarifications. The result is a production of authentic wines that reflect the territory and Lorenzetti's biodynamic philosophy.

Not far away, located between the town of Vicchio di Mugello and the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines, the Il Rio winery is owned by Paolo Cerrini, who in the mid-'90s decided to bet on the pedoclimatic characteristics of an area considered until then unsuitable for viticulture. The clayey soil and continental climate, with a strong temperature range between day and night, have proven particularly favorable for planting northern vines such as Pinot Nero, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon, which have been cultivated in the Le Panche area since 2000. The wines are processed with great attention to quality and bottled at the Il Rio cellar, located in one of the historic estates of the Molezzano Farm. Thanks to this combination of territory, climate, and processing methods, Il Rio has managed to produce wines of great finesse and elegance, fully expressing the unique characteristics of Mugello.

Nearing Vicchio, which we pass without entering the historic center, is the winery founded by the Bacci family: Bacco del Monte. In 1985, Sergio, Giorgia, Enrico, and Elena moved to "Monte," where they planted a small vineyard for family use. The surrounding landscape, with Monteprimo as a backdrop, inspires the growth of their passion for wine. In 2016, Enrico and Elena, together with their children Silvia and Duccio, plant two hectares of Pinot Nero, officially establishing the company. The estate is located in a hilly area with clayey soils and an ideal climate for viticulture, producing high-quality wines, particularly Pinot Nero. Bacco del Monte's philosophy is based on love for winemaking tradition and respect for the territory, with the aim of creating wines that authentically reflect the landscape and the family's history.

We begin the long but pleasant ascent towards the hills. We soon arrive at the La Matteraia Estate. In 1973, Ivo Malpaga acquires the La Matteraia estate, starting an agricultural redevelopment project. Apple trees, olive trees, and a vineyard are planted, and a part of the farmhouse is renovated for agritourism. Until 2010, the company stood out for its quality agricultural products and its connection to the territory. When Ivan takes over in 2010, La Matteraia directs its activities towards winemaking. New vineyards are planted, and in 2012, a modern cellar is inaugurated, becoming the heart of the company. Thanks to the family's winemaking tradition, dating back to grandfather Isacco, and the collaboration with an oenologist, the quality of the wines is excellent. Among these, the Isacco Reserve stands out, dedicated to the grandfather. La Matteraia is now a reference point in Mugello, offering not only fine wines but also immersive experiences in its cellar and among the vineyards.

We start the long ups and downs among the hills. We arrive soon at Borgo Macereto, where the homonymous Agricultural Company is located. It extends over 20 hectares, 6 of which are dedicated to vineyards. Founded in 2014 by the Foscarini family, the company is dedicated to organic viticulture, with the aim of producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the territory. The first step was to recover 3 hectares of vineyards already cultivated with Sangiovese and Gamay, followed in 2016 by the planting of Pinot Nero and aromatic white varieties such as Riesling and Viognier. Sangiovese remains the main grape variety for Chianti Rufina wines. The company's philosophy focuses on low productivity and quality, with training techniques such as spur cordon and Guyot. The company continues to experiment with new fermentation and aging techniques, seeking to combine tradition and innovation. Each bottle is the result of a process respectful of nature and a passion for agricultural and winemaking work.

A few hundred meters away is another company, the Il Lago Farm, located in the municipality of Dicomano, in the upper part of Chianti Rufina. It extends over 350 hectares and boasts a centuries-old winemaking tradition. Acquired in 1962 by the Spagnoli family, the company started an agricultural and real estate recovery process, with particular attention to viticulture. The ancient wooden press from 1806 testifies to the connection with tradition. The founder Ezio Spagnoli, passionate about this place, made the farm the heart of his family life, welcoming special moments with his loved ones. Today, his children Rolando, Francesco, and Filippo carry on the company with passion, keeping alive the grandfather's heritage. The vineyards, at an altitude between 300 and 600 meters, are mainly dedicated to Sangiovese but also host Pinot Nero and Syrah. The cellar, blending tradition and modernity, produces Chianti Rufina DOCG and Vin Santo. The company, managed organically, also offers hospitality, allowing guests to experience an immersive experience in the landscape, tasting the precious local wines.

We pass through the town of Dicomano and after a short climb, we stop at the Voltumna Agricultural Cooperative. Born in the early 2000s as a collective project of three couples, united by the desire to cultivate the land sustainably. In 2012, Marzio Politi and his wife took over the activity, starting an independent path. Marzio, who had planted the vines in 2002 and adopted organic and biodynamic practices with the oenologist Michele Lorenzetti, faced an important challenge. Despite the loss of the Pinot Nero vineyard in 2015, the company reduced to two and a half hectares and started a process of replanting, experimenting with new solutions. Voltumna, with biodynamic vineyards and an ideal climate for viticulture, mainly produces Sangiovese and Merlot, vinified with spontaneous fermentations and aged in wood or amphorae. The company's philosophy is based on biodiversity, sustainability, and respect for nature, aiming to produce wines that reflect the territory's identity and the craftsmanship of winemaking.

We conclude our journey at Frascole, where there is a company located in a place rich in history, evidenced by Etruscan and Roman finds confirming the ancient winemaking tradition. Today, at an altitude between 300 and 500 meters, the vineyards produce high-quality artisanal wines, carefully following each phase from the vineyard to the bottle. The company cultivates native grape varieties such as Sangiovese and Trebbiano, and international varieties such as Pinot Nero and Traminer, creating wines that reflect the unique character of the territory. The Vin Santo DOC, aged for over ten years, is their most precious gem. Frascole also produces extra virgin olive oil, with an organic approach certified since 1999. Managed by the Lippi and Santoni families since 1992, the company also includes an agritourism, offering unique experiences in a natural and welcoming environment.

Voltumna, Etruscan history

Voltumna, an Etruscan chthonic deity, became the supreme god of the Etruscan pantheon, protector of the city of Volsinii and the League of the twelve Etruscan cities. He was associated with the federal sanctuary of the Fanum Voltumnae. Although he could be an aspect of the god Tinia, he has no direct correspondence in the Greco-Roman pantheon, although he is the origin of the Roman deity Vertumnus. The bond between the twelve Etruscan cities was renewed annually in the sacred forest of the Fanum Voltumnae.