Istine

Before Istine\nFor decades, the Fronti family specialized in developing and managing vineyards for well-known Tuscan wineries. They also owned small vineyard plots in the Chianti Classico area, mainly in Radda, with a few in Gaiole, and made a small amount of wine.\n\n### Founding\nIstine was born only after Angela Fronti graduated from winemaking school and convinced her father and uncle that the family needed a label of its own. Their first wine was the 2009 Chianti Classico.\n\n### Growth and certification\nThe winery received organic certification in 2016. Beginning with the 2012 vintage, Angela started vinifying Sangiovese separately according to its vineyard of origin, giving rise to the winery's single-vineyard Chianti wines from Istine, Casanova dell'Aia and Cavarchione. Since 2012, the winery has also produced a small amount of Sangiovese Rosato. Production remains small at around 60-70 thousand bottles, and the family has no plans to expand significantly.

The family's 26 hectares include some of the highest vineyards in the area, planted at around 400-600 metres above sea level. The vineyards are divided among several zones, each with its own characteristics.

Istine works exclusively with native grape varieties: Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Malvasia Nera. The winery received organic certification in 2016.

The wines are aged in the traditional way, in large 20-hectoliter oak botti. Each of the three single-vineyard wines is made in the same way so that the differences between the terroirs can come through. The most representative lots are not produced every year; when they are, they are bottled under the vineyard name, while the rest becomes part of the Chianti Classico or the "Le Vigne" Riserva. Each wine label features a stylized image of its respective vineyard. At the top of the range is Chianti Classico Riserva "Le Vigne," made in exceptional years from grapes grown across all three vineyards. Since 2012, the winery has also produced a small amount of Sangiovese Rosato.

Each wine is made in the same way so that the differences between the terroirs can come through. This single-vineyard project is central to Istine's identity and helps set the winery apart from its peers. The family has no plans to expand production significantly.