Fattoria Lavacchio

Vineyard development

In 1963, the Sangiovese vineyard La vecchia in salita was planted. Its vines were subsequently maintained with the traditional archetto toscano, or upturned-Guyot, training system.

The vineyards associated with the white varieties Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc were planted between 1981 and 1990 on the upper slopes of Montefiesole.

In 1991, Aromatic Traminer was planted in Casabella, a hilltop vineyard at approximately 400 metres above sea level.

The next generation

Two wines connect the estate’s work to a younger generation. Ludie’ is dedicated to Luna and Diego, while Pachar combines the names Pablo and Charlotte. These dedications express an intention to pass forward an estate managed with passion and professional commitment.

The vineyards represented within Chianti Rufina occupy elevated sites around Montefiesole. The documented elevations extend from approximately 400 metres to 500 metres above sea level.

La vecchia in salita lies at approximately 400 metres in marl-rich soil. Casabella, also at approximately 400 metres on a hilltop, has soil particularly rich in limestone and marl. Its exposed position brings wind and marked temperature changes.

The Montefiesole vineyards associated with Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc reach approximately 500 metres above sea level. Their soils contain marl and limestone, and the slopes face north to north-east.

Organic certification is identified for the estate’s documented Sangiovese and white-wine vineyards.

Traditional vine training remains in use at La vecchia in salita, where the 1963 Sangiovese vines follow the upturned-Guyot form. Casabella’s Aromatic Traminer is also Guyot-trained. The documented crop levels are approximately 800 g per vine at La vecchia in salita, approximately 1 kg per vine in the Montefiesole white vineyards and approximately 20 quintals per hectare at Casabella.

Harvesting is carried out manually into small cases in each of these documented sites. Timing varies with grape and intended expression: around mid-September for the Montefiesole Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc; around mid-October for La vecchia in salita; and through several selections between mid-October and early November at Casabella. At Casabella, harvest decisions account for light berry dehydration by Botrytis, which can develop into noble rot on as much as 60% of the crop in particular vintages.

Fattoria Lavacchio presents its work as an organic way of life centred on authentic, terroir-expressive wines. Its stated priorities include passion, professional estate management and the pursuit of quality and distinctive character.

The generational dedications attached to Ludie’ and Pachar express an ambition for continuity. Pachar in particular represents the hope that the younger generation will continue the path established at the estate with the same enthusiasm.