Istine is a high quality organic estate winery in Radda-in-Chianti in the Chianti Classico DOCG region of Tuscany, Italy.

Owner: Angela Fronti.

Background: The wines were sold in bulk until the daughter of the family owners, Angela Fronti, bottled her first Chianti Classico DOCG from the 2009 vintage (less than 3,000 bottles, culled from her best vines in the Istine vineyard, described below). In 2012 she launched single vineyard wines from plots at different altitudes and soil profiles in both Radda and Gaiole in Chianti.

Vineyards: Around 20 hectares (49.4 acres) of vines, but not contiguous–being mainly in Radda in Chianti but also in Gaiole in Chianti.

Vigna Istine: 5 hectares. Sangiovese (95%), plus Canaiolo, Colorino, Malvasia Nera and Merlot. Planted in 2002 (5,000 vines/ha.). The estate’s highest vineyard and one of the highest in Chianti Classico (right in the heart of Chianti Classico too) at between 480 and 550 metres. North-west facing, between Radda and Castellina, along the Radda-Castellina in Chianti road. Totally isolated by woodland. The soil is rocky, mainly alberese (‘in prevalenza alberese’), with marly limestone (‘calcari marnosi’), and a light presence of quartz (‘leggera presenza di quarzo’). The land is not in a single body, but in separate plots with distinct characteristics. Great view of Radda and Panzano.

Vigna Casanova: The family’s historic vineyard. On the edge of Radda in Chianti. There are 4ha in total, all for Chianti Classico. The highest part (I think just 0.7ha) was replanted in 1997 (4,000 vines/ha). The lowest part comprises (I think) about 3.3ha of vines, and contained what were the oldest vines but they were replanted after the 2013 harvest. The average altitude is 500 metres. South-west facing. Stony soils. A mix of grey-white calcareous marl (‘calcari marnosi color chiaro e grigio’) and alberese. |

Vigna Cavarchione: From Vigna Cavarchione in Gaiole-in-Chianti, near Vertine. Planted 2010-2011. | 2013 The first harvest was 2013 (from the upper part, planted in 2010). Around 6ha. 5,000 vines/ha. 400-420 metres. East south-east facing. Stony soils, rich in alberese and galestro.

Organic certification: 2016 First vintage with full organic certification.

Pink wines

IGT Toscana Rosato, Istine: Sangiovese, Steel.

Red wines

Chianti Classico DOCG, Istine: 100% Sangiovese. | 2015 Bright fruit, lovely inviting texture (Anteprima 2018). 

Chianti Classico DOCG, Vigna Istine: 100% Sangiovese from the Istine vineyard. Aged in botti. 13%. | 2015 100% Sangiovese. Crunch to the fruit, lovely texture (Anteprima 2018).

Chianti Classico DOCG, Cavarchione: 100% Sangiovese from the Cavarchione vineyard (see above). | 2015 100% Sangiovese. Crunch to the fruit, lovely texture (Anteprima 2018).

Chianti Classico DOCG, Vigna Casanova dell’Aia:100% Sangiovese from the Casanova vineyard.

Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, LeVigne: LeVigne is a  blend of the best Sangiovese. | 2012 Bottled. | 2013 Bottled. | 2014 Bottled.

Contact

Istine

Strada Vicinale Di Gorazzano, 1

53017 Radda in Chianti (SI), Italy

Tel+39 0577.733684

Website: www.istine.com

Bibliography

Richard Baudains, ‘Sleepy? Never,’ Decanter Italy supplement 2016, p.59.