Fattoria Cerreto Libri is a certified organic estate using Biodynamic methods. The estate is located in Pontassieve (7miles or 15km from Florence) which has produced red wines under the Chianti Rùfina DOCG. In 2021 the estate’s website had a long list of wines, none of which bore the Chianti Rufina DOCG. It did list a Vin Santo del Chianti Rùfina DOC however.
Owner: Valentina Libri. Valentina took over here in 1994 having inherited the estate’s villa and several farm houses after her father died. The decided to convert the estate to organics. She converted to organic and Biodynamic methods. Her husband Andrea Zanfei (a professor, taught history and philosophy) has worked here since 1997, full-time here from 2011.
History: From 1791 on, after the marriage of Camilla del Rosso and Massimiliano Libri, the villas and wine cellar were built. The villa dates to 1796, according to the historian Paganello, and has Etruscan foundations. The villa was bought from the Baldini family by the Del Rosso family. The Del Rosso’s daughter eventually married a man from an equally well to do family, the Libri.
Terroir: Fattoria Cerreto is in probably the warmest location in the Rùfina zone. From 1995-97 the vineyards were rented by Fattoria Selvapiana which had its eye on buying a neighbouring vineyard called ‘Erchi’ and wanted to suss out the terroir.
Vineyards: 80 hectares of land. 1970s Valentina’s father Massimiliano created the vineyards in the 1970s, growing Sangiovese with high percentages of Colorino and Canaiolo. 1995-97 The vineyards were rented by Fattoria Selvapiana as Selvapiana had its eye on buying a neighbouring vineyard called ‘Erchi’ and wanted to get a feel of the terroir. | 2005 11ha of vines (30,000 bottles in 2005). Trebbiano and Malvasia for white wines and Vin Santo.
Grape varieties: Biotypes of the area’s traditional grapes such as Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia, Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, and Sangiovese. The latter was the least important variety when we first started Andrea Zanfei told me.
Biodynamics: 1997 Converted from low input conventional to Biodynamic practices, advised by Leonello Anello (to 2005 at least). Dynamizer from Bio-Meccanica. | 2019 A member of Renaissance des Appellations.
Certification: 2000 First vintage with full organic certification. | 2015 Still certified organic (BioAgricert).
Winemaking: Concrete vats. Uncrushed red wine berries. Semi-carbonic maceration. Pump overs. No new oak or added sulfites.
White wines
Toscana Bianco DOC, Canestrino: 80% Trebbiano Toscano, 20% Malvasia Bianca. Unfiltered. Fermented in cement.
Red wines
Toscana Rosso, Canaiolo: 100% Canaiolo. Guyot. Cement.
Toscana Rosso, Podernovo: 2001 Fizzy and thin (Visit 2005). | 2004 60% Sangiovese, 40% Canaiolo. Cement. Now the wines are better in terms of fruit and tannin but must make sure the bottling is good. Low sulphurs too so be careful.
Toscana Rosso IGT, Padronale: “Padronale” was written in chalk on the favorite barrel of Valentina’s grandfather, Agostino. And this meant only he could access it because that was his recipe, his creature. Passed down over the years, and in his honour, this blend has been re-proposed since 2006 by choosing the best of all from the Liber tonneaux and presenting the characteristics necessary to face a long aging and to become a “reserve”. | 2006 85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino. Cement. | 2013 13% alc.
Toscana Rosso IGT, Liber: 2012 15% alc. | 2014 Sangiovese mainly plus Canaiolo 14% alc.
Sweet white wines
Vin Santo del Chianti Rùfinà DOC: Oxdised style at the winery Monday 7th March 2005.
Other activities: Honey. 3,500 olive trees for olive oil. Grappa.
Bibliography: Visit Thursday 17th March 2005.
Contact
Fattoria Cerreto Libri
Via Aretina, 90
50056 Pontassieve (FI), Italy
Tel+39 055.8314528 | Website www.cerretolibri.it