Alessandro Tofanari–Podere La Castellaccia is an organic producer in the San Gimignano region of Tuscany in Italy. The name of the estate is Podere La Castellaccia. Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG and DOCG Riserva white wines and Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG reds are made.

Owners: Alessandro Tofanari (speaks English) and his wife Simona Orsini.

Staff: Winemaker: Ernesto Thoman.

Vineyards: 54ha of land. 6ha of Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG and 1.8ha of Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Organic certification: 2001 First vintage with full organic certification. | 2019 Still certified organic.

Polyculture: Barley and oats are grown for the owners’ (Akhal-Teke) horses which are raised here.

White wines

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG: 2006 Decent light modern style (Millésime Bio, Jan 2008). | 2008 Butter and oak (2019 Anteprima). | 2016 13% alc. Salty fruit, bright and savoury (2019 Anteprima). | 2017 No added sulfites. Fermented in small stainless steel tanks. Lees aged. 50% MLF. | 2018 100% cement. Fruit with a creamy, salty tang (2020 Anteprima).

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, Ciprea: The entry-level wine. 100% stainless steel. | 2012 Bruised apples, yeasty (2013 Anteprima). | 2015 A bit loose (2020 Anteprima). | 2016 12% alc. | 2017 Well made if just a bit fat in style (2019 Anteprima). | 2019 13% alc.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, Astrea: A skin contact white (around 36 hours) from the Astrea vineyard. After pressing the grapes macerate for around 24 hours. 2011 13.5% alc. | 2012 A bit more depth than the Ciprea (2013 Anteprima). | 2015 Destemmed. 2 days on skins. Nice vibrancy (2019 Anteprima). | 2017 12.5% alc.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG Riserva, Murice: 10 days on skins. |  2012 Bit oily (2013 Anteprima).

Red wines

Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG: 2006 90% Sangiovese, 10% Ciliegiolo and Canaiolo €6 prix particuliers. Light and a bit astringent (Millésime Bio 29 Jan 2008).

Contact

Alessandro Tofanari

Podere La Castellaccia

Via di Montauto, 18A

I-53037 San Gimignano (SI), Italy

Tel+39 0577 940426 | Website:www.lacastellaccia.it

UK sales: Bat & Bottle.