Macea is an organic winery in the valley of the Serchio river (Val di Serchio) of northern Tuscany, Italy. Wines are made under the Colline Lucchesi DOC.

Owners: Two brothers, Antonio Barsanti, a classically trained flute player and Cipriano, a professional winemaker. 

Estate vineyards: 3ha in Colline Lucchesi at 150 and 300 metres. The youngest vines were planted in 1999 by the Barsanti brothers: Sangiovese, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio. Other (rented) vines which are much older (1960s) include Ciliegiolo, Malvasia Nera, Montanina, Bracciola, Tannet, and Barghigiana for the Campo Caturesi red; plus Malvasia Bianca, Colombana, and Trebbiano. Also Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc. Mainly spontaneous grassing.

Organic certification: 2011 3ha (First vintage with full organic certification).

Biodynamics: Biodynamic practices since 2003. Horn silica 501 and Prepared horn manure 500, 502-507 (purchased from from Ag Vivente).

Wine labels: The artwork on the labels are reproductions of paintings made by the brothers’ father, made with natural dyes.

White wines

Toscana Bianco DOC, Pinot Grigio: 2011 One night on the skins has produced a pinkish yellow wine, fermented dry but with an impression of sweetness in what tastes like a good home-made wine with vague cider character (at La Fabbrica di San Martino, 14 Oct 2013).

Sauvignon Blanc: 2013 Very grassy nose, nice texture but oxidised (RAW 2015).

Toscana Bianco AOC, Vermentino: 2010 2 days on skins. Steel. 1,000 bottles. Straw and herb, a bit bitter in flavour by softly texture (Real Wine Fair 2012).

Red wines

Pinot Nero: 2007 Vines planted in 2002. Some Pinot varietal character, touch of sweetness (Natural Wine Fair: 2011. | 2009 2,000 bottles. Alcohol a bit hot for the fruit (Real Wine Fair:  2012. | 2010 2,000 bottles. Nice and fresh entry then with an oxidised (low sulfur) finish at La Fabbrica di San Martino, Monday 14th Oct 2013. | 2012 30 mg/l total sulphites (RAW 2015).

Toscana Rosso AOC, Campo Caturesi: From old varieties traditional to this part of the Serchio Valley: Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Montanina, Bracciola, Tané, Malvasia Nera. The label is a reproduction of their father’s painting made with natural dyes. 2008 Aged in old wood. Nice fruit, softness, decent modern style at the Natural Wine Fair, Borough Market 15-17 May 2011. 2009 Nice and crisp, I guess as a result of a terroir with big day-night temperature swings at La Fabbrica di San Martino, Monday 14th Oct 2013. 2011 Oxidised and a bit thin and hot with 20 mg/l total sulphites (Source: catalogue for RAW, London 17/18 May 2015).

Toscana Rosso AOC, Rugliagli: 2010 50% Sangiovese, 50% Merlot 4,000 bottles. Nice and wild but bitter (Real Wine Fair: 2012). | Nice crisp fresh black and red fruit with mint (at La Fabbrica di San Martino 2013). | 2011 The blend will change radically to 90% Merlot, 10% Sangiovese. 20 mg/l total sulphites (Source: catalogue for RAW 2015).

Contact

Macea

Loc. Macea, I-55023 Borgo a Mozzano (LU = Lucca), Italy

Tel+39 0583.88100