Colognole in Rùfina is one of the historic wine producers of the Chianti Rùfina DOCG, in Tuscany, Italy. It is named Colognole after its place name in the commune of Pontassieve. Both Colognole and Fattoria Selvapiana were military towers built during the Florentine republic (1115-1532) which later had houses built around them. As well as Rùfina, Colognole produces Chianti DOCG red wines. It is located about 32 km east of Florence. See Chianti Rufina DOCG–Dicomano to Colognole.

Owner: The Colognole farm has belonged to the Conti Spalletti family since 1892. Gabriella Spalletti Trivelli has been at the helm from the early 1990s, with her sons Cesare and Mari. In the 1950s and 1960s the wines were sold under the ‘Spalletti‘ family name but this family brand name was sold to Cinzano. Hence since 1990 the wines have been labelled Colognole.

Contact: Cesare Coda Nunziante (met him at the estate in July 2021 and again in October 2022). Staff: Direttore Tecnico: Mario Coda Nunziante (worked at Mitchelton; unmarried; very friendly and refreshingly honest about his wines). | Oen: Andrea Giovannini (he bottled the 2002; his first vintage here for fermentation will be 2003).

Vineyards: 2005: 35-ha. 5,700 vines/ha plantings are coming on stream (2.40 x 0.70m), Guyot system; new earlier ripening clones of Sangiovese too (15 clones). Mainly Sangiovese, plus an old biotype of Canaiolo from the estate. Also Chardonnay, plus a small amount of Syrah and Merlot in the highest vineyard. | 2020 27 hectares of vineyards (90,000 bottles (Gambero Rosso: 2018: p.594).

Terroir: The estate extends for about 650 hectares within the Chianti Rùfina DOCG. It lies about 32 km east of Florence. The vineyards are surrounded by woodland which provides both biodiversity and protection. The vineyards climb the right bank of the Sieve river (the Sieve Valley runs north-south) at altitudes ranging from 250 to 520 metres above sea level, on mainly clayey soils with plenty of galestro, near the pre-Appeninine mountains. The terroir is a slate-like rock with negligible topsoils on the upper vineyards (650m), with galestro and white clays lower down (400m). It is great ‘dirt’ for vines, but it is the altitude that makes these wines unique, long sunny days and cold nights mean the grapes mature slowly and each berry holds its acidity and it is this balance of tannin, sugar and acidity that gives this wine such ageing potential.

‘It is altitude and sparse, washed out top soils that just cover the limestone slopes of Monte Giovi (which acts as a shelter) on the right bank of the Sieve, extremes of day to night temperatures and a long growing season that make this terroir so unique. These wines are amongst the most long lived in Italy’ says Ben Robson.

Mario Coda Nunziante told me ‘we need a hot vintage for the red grapes and a cool one for the whites (speaking of the Chardonnay which is quite old and on high cordon vines but west facing so hot; wants to move them to an east-facing site).

There are good views through the valley to Florence as most of the ugliest part of Pontassieve is hidden by the hills. (which acts as a shelter) on the right bank of the Sieve.

Winery: New winery being built in 2005. In 2005 the existing winery comprised two cellars, one with cement tanks and the other with stainless steel tanks and oak vats.

Wine style: ‘The Chianti Rufina produced in Colognole clearly expresses the characteristics of Sangiovese grown at high altitudes and in the vicinity of the Apennine mountains: great finesse and elegance in the aromas combined with a marked longevity due, in particular, to the presence of abundant tannins,’ says the estate.

White wines

Toscana Bianco IGT, Sinopie: 2013 Bottled.

Toscana Bianco IGT, Quattro Chiacchiere: 2001 Barrel fermented.

Red wines

Le Lastre:2015 Bottled.

Chianti DOCG Sinopie: 2015 Bottled.

Chianti Rufinà DOCG, Colognole:2002 No riserva made in 2002. Unoaked. Tanky, pressy nose. Rather slight and under-ripe and lacking depth (Visit: 17th March 2005). | 2009 Federico Staderini was consulting. | 2010 The vineyards at Colognole were hit by hail three times and the grapes of this ‘unfortunate vintage’ were sold to fortunate local cooperatives (Ben Robson). |  2016 Sangiovese and Canaiolo. 14% Alc. Damson, spice and basil on the nose. Black cherry with fine ripe, elegant tannins that add a strand of leather and porcini, expanding into delicate rose and violet flavours. | 201714% alc. A classic free-flowing Rufina from an historic estate made whose very well expressed red and darker bramble fruit notes beneath which lie engaging tannins smoothly aligned giving full flow the fruit.

Chianti Rufinà DOCG Vigneto Le Rogaie: 201514%. Lot 1811R1. A stimulating, crunchy red with plenty of fruit and juicy appeal (Nov 20219).

Colognole Country Wine Estate: The company has renovated some rural farmhouses, creating a hospitality project that can comprise apartments, villas, and rooms for B&B service. In 2008, a restaurant was opened inside the Borgo, with typical “Km zero” cuisine.

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