Fattoria Lavacchio is an organic estate in Pontassieve in Tuscany, Italy. The estate’s origins date from the 18th-century under the Peruzzi family. In 1840 the estate was bought by the Marchese Strozzi Sacrati, who came from Mantua. In 1978 the estate was bought by the Lottero brothers from Liguria, one of whom is Faye Lottero’s father. Faye’s partner (husband?) is Dimitri Sidorenko. Wines are made under the Chianti DOCG, Chianti Rùfina DOCG, Colli della Toscana Centrale and Vin Santo del Chianti Rufina DOC Riserva denominations. From 2011 the estate started making no added sulphite wines, seeking minimalist wines to avoid allergens.

Owner: Faye Lottero (Genovese).

Staff: Oen. consultant: 2005+ Alberto Antonini. 2009+: Dott Federico Staderini.

Estate vineyards: 110ha of land on the summit (450 metres) of the Montefiesole hill between Sieci and Pontassieve. Stony soils and galestro. | 2004 21ha of vines, 6ha of cereals, 9ha of woodland (some truffles here). Also grow vegetables, plus rabbits and chickens. | 2018 25ha producing 120,000 bottles (Gambero Rosso: 2018, p.621).

Organic certification: 2004 First vintage with full organic certification. | 2022 Still certified organic.

Biodynamics: Certified organic but grown and made Biodynamically. ‘Biodynamic compost from the estate’s own manure. No need to spray for the grape berry moth or Botrytis cinerea (Alfredo Masseti: July 2021).

Winemaking: Alfredo Masseti told me (July 2021) that he extracted tannins early for NAS wines, making them from vines some of which were from 1963. He said early polymerisation avoids defects and green tannins.

Sparkling white wines

Lavacchio Bianco Toscano IGT, Puro: 2018 Vino Frizzante, a pet nat. Native white grapes. 10.5% alc. No added sulfites. Bottled with some yeast lees. Very clear, clean, crisp, green-fruited white fizz with the yeast softening the malic nature of the fruit. Very nice quaffer, really well thought out in terms of alcohol and light residual sweetness (tasted late February 2019).

Sparkling Pink wines

Pet Nat Rosè NV: 80% Sangiovese, 20% something. 11% alc. 9ppm SO2 total, 2ppm free. >2 bar. 100% clean fruit at picking. Fantastic freshness with Alfredo Masseti (July 2021).

White wines

Toscano Bianco IGT, Pàchar: 2004 Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc. Light lime, not bad (Millésime Bio 2006). | 2011 Sulfur on nose, creamy and some acetaldehye (Vinitaly 2013). | 2016 Bottled.

Toscano Bianco IGT, Bianco del Mulino: 100% Trebbiano Toscano. Vines planted 1963 and 1978. Guyot pruned. 400m. Gravelley soils mostly comprised of galestro. Hand picked. Destemmed. Fermented in stainless steel.

Pink wines

Albeggio: 2003 Bottled.

Red wines

Chianti DOCG, Puro: The owners say this was first Chianti DOCG wine with no added sulfites.| 2016 Bottled. Certified organic but grown and made Biodynamically but not yet certified. Beautiful bright ruby red. Very soft, clear red fruit aromas. Delicious fruit and tannin, reviving and fresh, soft and effortless when tasted with Alfredo Masseti (July 2021).

Chianti Riserva DOCG, Puro: 2015 10.5% alc. 100% Sangiovese. From old vines, oak aged. Certified organic. No added sulfites. Good weight of fruit, needs to be open for a day for it to soften, and show its attractively flavoured darkish wild fruit with plenty of depth, interest and vibrancy (tasted late March 2019).

Chianti Rùfina DOCG, Cedro: 2003 Soft berries (Millésime Bio 2006). | 2010 Cedar and some muffle to the fruit, not bad, bit thin and crisp and lean (Vinitaly 2013). | 2012 Bottled. | 2013 Nice bright fruit and yes also a fair bit of tannin but finishes with the fruit to the fore. Juicy and savoury (DWWA 2016). | 2014 Bottled. | 2015 Bottled. | 2016 80% Sangiovese, 10% each Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo. 8 months in 35hl botti. | 2019 13.5% alc. Rich dark fruit, smooth tannins, evident juiciness, mid-weight, appealing with time on its side but ready now (December 2021).

Chianti Rùfina DOCG Riserva, Ludié: From Sangiovese planted in 1963. Alfredo Masseti told me (July 2021) the vines were grafted in situ. Various clones (biotypes it seems) 1.8ha. Oak aged. | 2009 High tone nose, bit baked but has depth and concentration (DWWA 2016). | 2010 Bottled. | 2011 14.5% alc.

Chianti Rufina Riserva Vigna Casanova: 2018 100% Sangiovese. Matured in 15hl barrels.

Toscano Rosso IGT, Fontegalli: 2003 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese. Chocolate, aggressive acid, green (Millésime Bio 2006). | 2011 Bottled. | 2015 60% Merlot, 40% Syrah.

Colli della Toscana Centrale Rosso, Cortigiano: Sangiovese.

Sweet wines

Vin Santo del Chianti Rùfina DOC Riserva: 2007 Bottled. | 2008 Bottled. | 2009 Bottled. | 2010 Bottled.

Oro del Cedro Vendemmia Tardiva: 2012 Bottled. | 2014 Bottled.

Other activities: Olive oil The estate has its own ‘frantoio’ which can be visited. 

Restaurant Mulino a Vento (055.8396221): Tuscan style, grills and fish. Plenty of parking. Known since the 1940s for its good food (apparently).

Weddings These can be performed here. |

Windmill The 18th-century windmill which mills organic grain grown on the estate (the windmill does not, I think, belong to the estate). There is also a fishing lake. Villa Strozzi The Villa Strozzi dates from the 16th-century, and its garden contain a Lebanese cedar tree dating from the mid-1700s. The Innocenti’s pottery is open weekdays and for tours. Vallebona is the horse riding centre. 

Accommodation: Casa del Mugnaio is an independent agritourism villa (max 10 pax) with swimming pool. It was the home of the miller (mugnaio). It dates from the 1940’s, and was restored in 2003. The ceramist Massimo Innocenti painted a fresco on the walls. Casanova has six double bedrooms and three suites with private garden and barbecue area. Casabella is the main house in which one can find the reception, the swimming pool, the snack-bar and the common room for reading and internet connection. Monterifrassine 250 metres from the Casabella holding and consists of five independent flats (each named after grape varieties), with a barbecue area. The flats are Sangiovese (3 rooms), Trebbiano (2 rooms), Malvasia (3 rooms), Ciliegiolo (2 rooms), and Canaiolo (2 rooms). There is also a pottery school and art atelier.

Contact

Società Agricolà Lavacchio srl.

Fattoria Lavacchio

Via di Montefiesole, 55

I-50065 Pontassieve (FI), Italy

Tel+39 055.8317472 | Website: www.fattorialavacchio.com

Sales: Swig (UK). Brinkley (UK).