I Fabbri is an organic estate in the Lamole area of Greve in Chianti in the Chianti Classico DOCG region of Tuscany, Italy. It produces around 35,000 bottles annually. The ‘fabbri’ name derives from the village’s ancient workshop.
Owner: Susanna and Maddalena Grassi (siblings).
Background: The historic name of the estate is Casole. This has belonged to Susanna Grassi’s family since 1600 as evidenced by the documents preserved by her father Giuliano. The Grassi were winemakers, but also blacksmiths (‘fabbri’), having a workshop in the village of Casole, on the right (east) bank of the Greve river. Olinto, Susanna’s great-grandfather was the first to start selling wine in bottle, in the 1920’s, which was rare at that time. After Olinto died, Roberto inherited the land. Roberto was a bank director. He looked after the land, but sold the grapes, rather than make wine from them. During the 1960’s Giuliano, Susanna’s father, received all the land. However, Giuliano was a brilliant engineer, whose promising career in the energy field saw him move abroad, leaving the estate under external management. As a child Susanna had always planned to take care of the farm, and to become a winegrower, but her professional life took her elsewhere and meant she also lived abroad for many years. In 1988, having gained a degree in economics, Susanna began working in management in the fashion industry. In the late 1990s and via a random commercial role Susanna came back to the abandoned family property and brought it back to life. In 2000 Susanna and Maddalena Grassi founded I Fabbri.
Vineyards: There are two distinct sites.
– Podere Sestilio: 1 hectare in the Conca d’Oro in Panzano-in-Chianti. 450-500 metres. This vineyard is rented, and was taken over from Michael Schmelzer of Monte Bernardi, so it was already certified organic.
– I Fabbri is in the Lamole zone on the right (east) bank of Greve. 9ha of vines and 1ha of olives (2017). 580-680 metres. Hilly environment surrounded by woodland. Vines on centuries-old terraces shaped like a natural amphitheatre, exposed towards the south, south-west. The territory of Casole, in the district of Lamole – Greve in Chianti, a wide, sunny valley. The terrain is loose, being mainly sandy, from sandstone weathered over time, very permeable rather than compact. and poor in organic matter.
Organic certification: 2011 First vintage with full organic certification for the whole estate.
Red wines
Chianti Classico DOCG, Lamole: 2019 100% Sangiovese. 18,000 bottles.
Chianti Classico DOCG, Terra di Lamole: From the highest vineyards. Fermented in cement tanks. | 2015 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo nero. Part-aged in French oak tonneaux and cement tanks for 18 months. Lovely fruit, savoury, balanced (Anteprima 2018). | 2018 100% Sangiovese. | 2019 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo nero.
Chianti Classico DOCG, Olinto: From the highest vineyards. 80% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot. Fermented in cement tanks.
Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, Podere Sestilio: 100% Sangiovese from Podere Sestilio (see above). Aged in French oak tonneaux for 18 months.
Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, I Fabbri: 2013 Bottled. | 2015 95% Sangiovese Grosso di Lamole, 5% Canaiolo. 100% oak-aged in French tonneaux for 20 months. | 2016 100% Sangiovese. | 2018 100% Sangiovese. 4,000′ bottles.
Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione, I Fabbri: Only made in the best years. 100% Sangiovese. Ferments in stainless steel. Aged in French tonneaux for 20 months. | 2011 14%. | 2015 100% Sangiovese. | 2015 100% Sangiovese. | 2018 100% Sangiovese. 1,800 bottles
Toscana Rosso IGT, Il Doccio: 100% Merlot.18 months in French oak. Not made every year (if not, the Merlot goes into Olinto).
Rosso, Due Donne: 50% Sangiovese Grosso, 50% Schiopettino di Prepotto, Vini Iole Grillo.
Contact
I Fabbri
Via Casole, 18 & 52
50022 Greve in Chianti (FI), Italy
Website: See here.
Bibliography
Bill Nesto MW & Frances Di Savino, Chianti Classico, the Search for Tuscany’s Noblest Wine, (University of California Press, 2016).