Lanciola is an estate in Impruneta, 15 minutes from Florence in the Chianti Colli Fiorentini (Florence Hills) in Tuscany. It produces Chianti Classico DOCG and Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG red wines. It also produces Vin Santo dell Colli Fiorentini DOC,Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC and Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC Occhio di Pernice. 

Owner: Carla Ercoli Guarnieri; Giovanni Guarnieri.

Background: The Guarnieri family’s Lanciola estate in the hills south-east of Florence (Colli Fiorentini) has produced wine since the Middle Ages. In 1587 a cask of wine from here plus a bushel of wheat had to be paid as a church tax. Records show that in 1690 there were two Lanciola farms, belonging to the Ricci family. These stayed with them until 1846, when they sold to the De Larderel family, famous for the exploitation of boric acid fumaroles. In 1974 Giovanni Guarnieri took over, under the supersion of Franco Bernabei.

Staff: Manager: Giacomo Guarnieri. Oen: Stefano Guarnieri. Also Elisa Dabizzi Guarnieri and Giancarlo Guarnieri (Carlo’s son). Exports: Andrea Fabbri (339 132 0808).

Estate vineyards: There are 80ha of land in total of with vineyards, in two sites:

Vineyards–Impruneta: 45ha of land of which 26ha (2005), then 35ha (2010) of Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG vines. The area is known as “Terre dei Ricci” because the earliest evidence of winemaking here dating from 1587 is a tithe for the church of St Stephen of Pozzalatico shows that Ruberto di Ricci who owned the farm had to pay one bushel of wheat and a cask of wine. 150-200 metres. Said to be relatively cool for the area, which suits Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Franco Franco Bernabei obtained French clones.

Vineyards–Chianti Classico DOCG: 14ha In Greve in Chianti of land of which 10ha is Chianti Classico DOCG vineyard. SW facing. 300 metres. Sangiovese plus Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Canaiolo and Colorino.

Winery: New one in the early 2001 but with no roof over the steel vats.

White wines

Barbarello Bianco IGT: Trebbiano Toscano.

Toscana Bianco IGT, Terrici: 100% Chardonnay.

Toscana Bianco IGT, Ricciobianco: 100% Chardonnay. Barrel fermented.

Pink wines

Toscana Rosato IGT, Ricciorosa:

Red wines

Chianti dei Colli Fiorentini DOC: 2002 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo Nero, Merlot, and Gamay. Stainless steel. Good weight of fruit, nicely constructed fruit, acid and tannin; essentially simple but a benchmark in an emerging DOC (Visit 2005).

Chianti dei Colli Fiorentini DOC Riserva: 2011 Bottled.

Chianti Classico DOCG, Le Masse di Greve: From Greve in Chianti. 300 metres. South west facing. 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot, Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet, Colorino. Barrel aged. | 2009 95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo Nero. Smoky oak dominates the nose, lozenge-like acidity (Commended, DWWA 2013). | 2017 Bit simple (Anteprima 2019). | 2018 950% Sangiovese, 5% other. 11,000 bottles. Dense in texture (Anteprima 2022).

Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, Le Masse di Greve: 2016 Light, clear, soft, simple (Anteprima 2019).

Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione, Le Masse di Greve: 2011 Bottled. | 2017 100% Sangiovese. 900 bottles.

IGT Toscana Rosso, Prunello: A carbonic maceration red wine launched by Giovanni Guarnieri as a brand for producers in the commune of Impruneta. No longer made.

IGT Toscana Rosso, Riccionero: 1998 Debut. 3,000 bottles. 25 year old Pinot Noir vines (1ha). These Pinot Noir vines were formerly used to produce spumante. Aged in barrel. | 2002 Second vintage; light tired brownish colour, French oak too much for dry fruit tannins and flagging fruit (at Argiano 19 March 2005).

IGT Toscana Rosso, I Terricci: 1999 Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon. On clay–schist. Stinky beetroot nose; and some VA; orange peel too. Decent colour and not over-extracted, but vegetal (at Argiano 19 March 2005). | 2017 50% Sangiovese, 30% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc.3,000 bottles.

Vin Santo

Vin Santo del Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOC: Lanciola’s ‘holy wine’ or Vin Santo is made from Trebbiano Toscano, and Malvasia del Chianti. Vines at 200 metres, south-east facing, on clay–schist. The hand picked grape bunches are picked early (for acidity). They raisin by being hung inside after autumn harvest. The drying period lasts months, traditionally until Easter or ‘holy’ week, when the grapes have their juice pressed out. The juice becomes so concentrated with sugar it takes up to four years to ferment in small oak casks, leaving a bright amber coloured wine which is as savoury-sweet. | 2005 Produced. | 2007 Trebbiano & Malvasia. Unknown level of residual sugar. £30-59.99. Bright amber, lovely amontillado nose, dense sweetness, balanced, with new oak in tune, so satisfying. Gold medal, awarded the Sweet Tuscan Wine over £15 Trophy at DWWA 2nd May 2013.

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC: 2009 Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino.

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC Occhio di Pernice, Lanciola: From Sangiovese and Canaiolo. 200 metres asl, south-east facing, on clay-schist. Hand picked, dried for upto five months. Then fermented, and aged four years in small oak casks. | 2007 Produced. | 2009 Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Soft sweet caramel notes (Anteprima 2020). 

Other activities: Olive oil from 40ha. Frantoio, Leccino, Moraiolo, Pendolino, Madonna dell’Impruneta and other varieties. Agritourism. Lanciola owns the Gusta di Vino shop and restaurant in Florence.

Sales: USA and Japan are key markets. (2022).

Contact

Lanciola

Via Imprunetana per Pozzolatico, 210

50023 Impruneta (FI), Italy

Tel+39 055.208324 | Website www.lanciola.it

Directions: 15 minutes from Florence.