Fattoria di Gratena is an organic in Localita Pieve a Maiano in Arezzo in the province of the same name.

History: Fabio de Ambrogi inherited the estate from his grandparents. Originally it comprised three separate farms, of which Gratena is the main one. This is where the cellar, warehouse and agritourism are located. Staff Oen: Frank Peluso (French).

Owner: Fabio de Ambrogi (43 in 2005) speaks English (+335.6188823).

Vineyards: 180ha estate on the hills (395 metres) between the Chiana Valley (‘Val di Chiana) and the Arno Valley with 140ha of woods, 16ha of vines on stony galestro and 1,600 olive trees. Sangiovese (in the Corticella vineyard), Sangiovese and Merlot (in the Monticelli vineyard, and a new grape called Gratena. The Gratena grape is like Merlot, it ripens mid- to late Sept. First 3,000 vines planted in 1954; then new vines replanted in 2000 (1.5ha). The Gratena Nero grape has been checked by Prof Attilio Scienza of Milan University against 32 reference cultivars from France and Tuscany and no common genetic linkage was found.

Viticulture: Organic fertilizer by powder or granules, Spurred cordon. 5,000 vines per ha on new vineyards; 2000: 4,000 vines ha.

Production & sales: Up to 50,000 bottles. Exports (2005) Japan, USA, Belgium and Germany.

Organic certification: 1998 First vintage with full organic certification. | 2004 Certified by Suolo e Salute.

Winery: Stainless steel, French oak.

Red wines

Toscana Rosso IGT, Siro: 2003 50% Gratena Nero, 30% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot. 2,200 bottles. Nice modern style colour, but not too extracted, some French oak on the nose; very elegant tannin; nice grippy tannins and very elegant  (Visit 10th March 2005).

Chianti DOCG: 2003 100% Sangiovese.

Chianti DOCG Riserva, Rapozzo da Maiano: 2000 100% Sangiovese aged in French oak barrels. 16,000 bottles. Good fruit albeit somewhat evolved (Visit 10th March 2005).

Other activities products: Three apartments, peaceful location, swimming pool. Olive oil, and honey (the bees are in the estate’s wood, the honey is made by a third party).

Contact

Fattoria di Gratena

Loc. Pieve a Maiano

I-52100 Arezzo (AR), Italy

Tel+39 0575368664 | www.gratena.it

Directions South of Pieve a Maiano on the Arezzo and Montevarchi SS69