Terra a Mano – Fattoria di Bacchereto is a Biodynamic estate in Bacchereto, a locality in Carmignano, a commune in Prato province, Tuscany. The estate makes red wine under the Carmignano DOCG and sweet wines under the Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina DOC.

Owner: Rossella Bencini Tesi (+39 339.2217597). Her father was Carlo Bencini Tesi.

Background: Family property, originally a hunting house on the Barco Reale estate of the Medici, through which runs part of the 50km-long wall enclosing the hunting area and which begins in Artimino and ends above Bacchereto. Bacchereto belonged to the Banci family from Prato from the end of the C17th. It was then purchased by Barone Francetti (explorer, adventurer, one of the first to have flown around the world; married a Rothschild – they were also at Capezzana and sold it to the Contini-Bonacosi). In 1925 Rossella Bencini Tesi’s grandfather bought the estate at the same time as Capezzana was sold by the Rothschilds.

Staff: Cellarmaster (2005): Gaddo Contini-Bonnacasi (27 in 2005).

Certification: 2001 Bios. | 2019 Member of Renaissance des Appellations.

Biodynamics: 2005 Rossella Bencini Tesi told me: they started using Horn manure 500 from 2002. They bought the 500 rather than made it themselves. The Biodynamic consultant was Leonello Anello. Rossella says she was doing it to get back to basics, to know what she is doing and not to be standardised. In 2003 she made the change and got rid of all the chemicals. She had just bought a mechanical pruner. It was brand new. As soon as she finished paying for it it was sold and she went back to hand pruning.

Vineyards: 2010 8ha of vines. Mainly planted in the mid-1980s. Clay rich soil, south facing. Two chestnut trees, make flour.

Polyculture: 2005 50 fig trees (old) plus 30 young. Figs are picked in August, opened, left to dry in sun (apicatto), seeded with aniseed seeds and a bit of sugar; figs are dark when picked and then go a light brown colour; best eaten at Christmas time; released on 8th October for Carmignano fair. Also olive trees.

White wines

Toscana Bianco, Terra a Mano, Sassocarlo: 2004 70% Malvasia, 30% Trebbiano Toscano. Barrel fermented in 350 litre tonneaux. 100% MLF. 2,500 bottles. Clear fruit and well oaked (Visit 7th March 2005). | 2012 Mainly Trebbiano Toscano, plus Malvasia.

Red wines

Carmignano DOCG, Terra a Mano: 2002 12m in French oak. Lovely fresh nose, clean new oak in the background; lovely freshness, grainy tannins, very clear style (Visit 7th March 2005). | 2005 11,000 bottles produced.

Sweet white wines

Vin Santo del Chianti Rufinà DOC DOC: The aim is to pick Malvasia and Trebbiano when the berries are a ripe pink colour. They are dried on reed mats (‘gratticci’) until Christmas). | 1996 Old style sherry nose, plenty of colour and sweetness, tired fruit, alcohol a bit aggressive (Visit 7th March 2005).

Contact

Fattoria di Bacchereto

Via Fontemorana, 179

59015 Bacchereto (PO), Italy

Tel+39 055.8717191