Mannucci Droandi is an organic estate with vines in Gaiole-in-Chianti in the Chianti Classico DOCG and in Montevarchi in the Chianti Colli Aretini DOCG region of Tuscany, Italy. A Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC is also made. 1998 was the last year all the wine was sold in bulk. 

Mannucci Droandi stems from the farming and winemaking traditions of two families, Mannucci, small landowners in Valdarno since the early 19th-century and the Droandi, from the 18th-century farmers in Carmignano and then in San Giustino Valdarno. It is currently administered by the Società Agricola Nuova Agricoltura S.r.l. whose CEO, Maria Grazia Mammuccini, comes from an old family of farmers.

Staff: Vineyards and cellar: Roberto Giulio Droandi.

Research project: In the mid-1990s the estate was part of a research project in with the Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura di Arezzo (Research Institue for Oenology in Arezzo) which set up a vineyard here with over 40 native wine grape varieties and biotypes at risk of extinction, one of which was Foglia Tonda (D’Agata, 2014). Others were Barsaglina, and Pugnitello.

Vineyards: The estate is divided into two main parts, Campolucci and Ceppeto.

– Campolucci: The place name is Latin in origin: ‘field of the sacred forest’. There is a large farmhouse, recorded in the Granducal registry: this is the location of the winery, cellars and offices. Campolucci is situated on the eastern slopes of the Chianti mountains (Chianti DOCG zone, Chianti Colli Aretini DOCG subzone of) at an altitude of 250m above sea level, on top of a south-facing hill overlooking the ancient fortified village of Caposelvi near Mercatale Valdarno (municipality of Montevarchi, province of Arezzo).

– Ceppeto: The second part of the estate is the recently-purchased Ceppeto, which consists of vineyards and olive groves (see below) planted around a large, square stone farmhouse (built in the 18th century on the ruins of an old hermitage) and surrounded by dense oak and chestnut woodland. The property is situated on the west side of the Chianti mountains (Chianti Classico zone), at 350m above sea level, on the southern slope of the hill on which the castle of Starda stands (municipality of Gaiole in Chianti, province of Siena). The estate is surrounded by wild, unspoilt, beautiful countryside, where the woods almost dominate the few cultivated areas. Between these steep hills, furrowed by deep valleys, flows the Caposelvi stream, which takes its name from the village a few kilometres lower down. It is possible to walk from one estate to the other following the old paths along the stream. This is an extremely interesting walk from a naturalist point of view, passing close to the ruins and remains of hydraulic works at the old Starda mill.

Organic certification: 2000 First vintage with full organic certification.

Olives: Six hectares of olive groves on the Ceppeto farm (see above), planted mostly on ancient terraces supported by dry stone walls. Produces Chianti Classico Extra-Virgin Olive oil  DOP. made from the Moraiolo, Frantoio, Leccino and other traditional olive varieties.

Red wines

Chianti DOCG: 1998 Bottled. | 1999 Bottled.

Chianti Classico DOCG, Ceppeto: 2015 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% other grapes. | 2018 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo nero. | 2020 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo. 5,000 bottles

Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, Ceppeto: 2013 90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot. | 2017 90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot. 5,000 bottles.

IGT Toscana Rosso, Foglia Tonda: 2011 100% Foglia Tonda.

IGT Toscana Rosso, Campolucci: 1999 Sangiovese, plus a little Cabernet.

IGT Toscana Rosso, Pugnitello: 2018 100% Pugnitello. 2,000 bottles.

Vin Santo

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC, Ceppeto: 2008 70% Trebbiano Toscano, 30% MalvasiaBianca Lunga Toscana. | 2011 70% Trebbiano, 30% Malvasia.

Contact

Operating Office and Postal Address

Società Agricola Nuova Agricoltura S.r.l., 

Via Rossinello e Campolucci 79,

Loc. Caposelvi

52025 Montevarchi (AR) Italy

Tel+39 055 9707276 | Website: www.mannuccidroand.it/en

Bibliography

Ian D’Agata, Native Wine Grapes of Italy (University of California Press, 2014), p.298-291.