Casa alle Vacche is an estate winery in Frazione Pancole and within Località Lucignano in the north-north-west of San Gimignano in Tuscany, Italy. Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG and DOCG Riserva whites wines are made, as are San Gimignano Rosso DOC and Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG red wines, plus a sweet Vin Santo del Chianti DOC.

Owner: The Ciappi brothers, Fernando (who I met and who supports Fiorentina) and Lorenzo and their father Silvano.

The name: The name of the estate is ‘cow house’, referring to the fact that the oldest building here, from the 19th-century was a cow shed.

Staff: Paolo Salvi consults.

Estate vineyards & wine production: 2005 In 2005 there were 30ha of vines (around 120,000 bottles) of which 22ha estate vineyards and 8ha rented. 210-280 metres. 3,000-4,500 vines/ha. Also 2.5ha of olives, plus cereals and woodland. | 2018 25 hectares in total. 12 hectares for Vernaccia di San Gimignano. 28ha producing 150,000 bottles (Gambero Rosso: 2015, p.574).

White wines

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, Casa alle Vacche: 2012 Nice weight, tangerine, a bit phenolic perhaps (2013 Anteprima).

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, I Macchioni: A cru. SW-sw facing site. | 2003 A bit corked (visit, 2005). | 2011 10,000 bottles. Unoaked. Again a bit phenolic, decent weight (2013 Anteprima). | 2017 Clean, green apple citrus (2019 Anteprima).

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG Riserva, Crocus: Crocus is named after the plant which some farmersSan Gimignano grow to produce saffron. | 2002 Barrel fermented. Rich, bit clumsy, not bad (visit 2005). | 2010 Get wood on this from the wooded 10% Chardonnay portion, bit flat (2013 Anteprima).

Sangiovese Bianco: 2016 Bottled.

Red wines

Ciliegiolo: 2016 Bottled.

Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG: 2003 Sangiovese, Colorino, Canaiolo, Malvasia. Was soft and delicious fermented in cement with no wood; perfumed; elegant; refreshing; very good (visit, 2005).

Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG, Cinabro: 2002 100% Sangiovese only ie 90% here; as old vines mixed in like Canaiolo and Colorino; quite chunky, well made (visit, 2005).

San Gimignano Rosso DOC, Acantho: 2003 85% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and Canaiolo. Aged in oak. Peppery nose, alcoholic and a bit green, smoky unknit vanilla aftertaste (at Fattoria di Larniano 14th Feb 2005, evening).

Toscana Rosso, Aglieno: 67% Sangiovese and 33% Merlot.

Sweet wines

Vin Santo del Chianti DOC: Trebbiano, Malvasia and Vernaccia.

Agritourism

Seven appartments. Two for four people with kitchen, and five flats for 2 people with kitchen. Open all year. Swimming pool. Very quiet spot. Can see San Gimignano’s towers from here across the hills.

Contact

Casa alle Vacche

Fraz. Pancole

Loc. Lucignano 73/A

I-53037 San Gimignano (SI), Italy

Tel+39 0577.955103  Website:www.www.casaallevacche.it

Bibliography

Visit to the winery on Tuesday 15th Feb 2005.