Lamole is a locality in Greve-in-Chianti in the Chianti Classico DOCG region of Tuscany, Italy. Lamole is among the earliest known viticultural zones in the Chianti Classico region (Alessandro Masnaghetti: 2018). Although quite small, with just 70-80 ha of vines in total (around half-a-dozen producers), Lamole is one of Chianti Classico’s most distinctive areas in terms of its soil and altitude. Lamole lies on the right (east) bank of the Greve river, 3 miles (4.3km) south-east of Greve as the crow flies, in a wide, sunny, west-facing (afternoon sun) valley.

The terrain is mainly sandy, and loose, derived from decomposing sandstone (‘arenaria’), very permeable rather than compact, poor in organic matter, and with no clay component. Thus the wines are overtly fruity and fluid rather than full-bodied and tannic. In addition, Lamole lies at high altitude, from 450 to 650 metres (1,476-2,132ft) above sea level. This means in cool years, and despite the sandy soils, full ripening is not automatic. The large temperature range is also a factor in wine style. Some old bush-trained (‘alberello’) vines remain. Others describe Lamole as the roof Chianti Classico, an amphitheatre, with vines on ancient terraces, surrounded by woodland, facing south, south-west.

Wineries

Certified organic: Castello di Lamole–see Fattoria di Lamole. | Fattoria di Lamole. | Filetta di Lamole. | I Fabbri. | Vignamaggio.

No certification: Lamole di Lamole.

Bibliography

Alessandro Masnaghetti, I Cru di Enogea, Chianti Classico (Alessandro Masnaghetti Editore, first edition July 2014).

Bill Nesto MW & Frances Di Savino, Chianti Classico, the Search for Tuscany’s Noblest Wine (University of California Press, 2016).