Vigneti La Selvanella

Acquisition and planting in the early 1960s

The La Selvanella estate was acquired at the beginning of the 1960s. Its suitability for Sangiovese was recognized immediately. A massal selection was undertaken, after which 50 hectares were planted as a single, contiguous vineyard. This created the most extensive vineyard in Radda in Chianti and the largest cru in Chianti Classico.

The first cru Riserva

The first Vigneti La Selvanella Riserva came from the 1969 vintage. The vineyard became one of the earliest Italian examples in which grapes were selected and vinified specifically for a wine whose label identified its cru of origin.

Recognition in 1975 and 1988

In 1975, the 1971 La Selvanella was selected through a blind tasting held in the Castellina in Chianti terziere as the representative wine of the Lega del Chianti.

In 1988, La Selvanella was among the first wines to receive Gambero Rosso's Tre Bicchieri distinction.

Continuity of style

Although changing fashions influenced wine styles over subsequent decades, Chianti Classico Riserva Vigneti La Selvanella maintained a consistent stylistic identity. The estate's present work continues through a team led by estate manager Alessandro Zanette, with winemaker Francesco Bruni and agronomist Marco Viciani.

Vigneti La Selvanella lies at Località La Selvanella, near Lucarelli in Radda in Chianti, in the inner part of the Chianti Classico territory close to the Monti del Chianti. This position has a comparatively cool microclimate.

The vineyard encompasses soils of several geological origins. Macigno occurs at the higher elevations, while the Sillano Formation is also characteristic of the Radda in Chianti area. La Selvanella additionally contains outcrops of Pietraforte, an unusual occurrence within the local growing zone.

At approximately 380–450 m, the Sillano Formation and Pietraforte retain moisture at depth. This reserve helps the vines withstand the driest periods and is associated with fruit and structure in the Sangiovese.

At higher elevations, schistose rock gives the Sangiovese a firmer character and greater depth. Gravelly surface material allows roots to penetrate between the geological strata, contributing pronounced tannic structure and lively acidity. The interaction of these soils with the cool inner-zone microclimate defines the character of the cru.

The estate's Sangiovese Grosso originated from a massal selection conducted in the early 1960s. The resulting vines were planted across 50 ha in one contiguous body rather than dispersed holdings.

The vineyard's varying elevations and geological formations create distinct growing conditions. In the plots at approximately 380–450 m, deep moisture retained by the Sillano Formation and Pietraforte helps the vines endure dry periods. At the higher elevations, roots penetrate the stratified, schistose and gravelly ground.

Beginning with the 1969 vintage, grapes from Vigneti La Selvanella were selected and vinified specifically as a cru of origin. The resulting Riserva was among the earliest Italian wines to identify its originating cru on the label.

The production objective is to preserve the recognizable identity of the contiguous Sangiovese vineyard while expressing the character of each individual vintage. The estate has maintained this stylistic continuity despite changes in wider winemaking fashions over the decades.

The estate presents its work as a collective undertaking rather than the expression of a single personality. Estate manager Alessandro Zanette, winemaker Francesco Bruni and agronomist Marco Viciani combine their respective expertise as one team.

Their stated approach is grounded in commitment to Sangiovese and in expressing the individual character of every vintage from the single La Selvanella cru. Tenacity, pride and continuity are central themes: the Riserva is intended to remain faithful to its established identity while allowing each growing season to retain its own expression.