Tenuta San Vito in Fior di Selva is an organic estate in Montelupo Fiorentino, a commune in the Metropolitan City of Florence in the Italian region of Tuscany, about 20 kms southwest of the city of Florence. Wines are made under the Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG, the Chianti DOCG and Colli dell’Etruria Centrale denominations.

Background: The founder was Roberto Drighi. The Drighi family planted specialised vineyards and olive groves from 1960 on. The construction of a cellar and olive press-house led to production of the first wines and olive oils. In the early 1980s Laura Drighi, one of Roberto’s daughters, converted to organic farming, and was officially certified as such in 1985. At the same time farmhouses on the estate were converted for agritourism and swimming pools, and a restaurant were added. In 1989 temperature control in the winery and a new winemaker saw this estate leap forward in quality.

Staff: Neri Gazulli, Roberto Drighi’s nephew, is San Vito’s current manager. | Commericial: Mme Barbara Quinto. | Vineyards: Dott. Sergio Lo Jacono.

Vineyards: 2002 29ha (1,270 hl) + 3ha/100hl(C2) by AIAB (Millésime Bio 2003). | 2020 35ha of vines, plus 20ha of olives plus 91ha of estate so a 138ha estate in total. Big powerline at the top of one of the vineyards. Vines surrouned by broom.

Organic certification: Since 1982 San Vito has been cultivating its crops in accord with organic principles. From 1985 on, all of San Vito’s products have been certified by the A.I.A.B. (Associazione Italiana Agricoltura Biologica), and the winery is a member of I.F.O.A.M. (International Federation of Organic Agricoltural Movement). The current certifying authority is I.C.E.A. (Istituto per la Certificazione Etica ed Ambientale), which ensures observance of the E.U. 2092/91 regulation and international norms, in particular the NOP (National Organic Program) of the U.S. USDA.

Sparkling wines

Spumante, Fior di Selva Spumante: Verdicchio + Chardonnay + Pinot Blanc + Sauvignon Blanc.

White wines

Colli dell’Etruria Centrale Bianco: 2001 Trebbiano, Malvasia, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc. Some cardboard at Mill Bio 2003.

Toscana Bianco, Verdiglio: 1998 VDT Toscano Bianco Verdicchio. Oaked. | 2000 VDT Toscano Bianco Verdicchio. Crisp, oily, light, clean at Mill Bio 2003.

San Vito ‘Amantiglio: Chardonnay. Toscana Bianco.

Red wines

Chianti DOCG, San Vito: 1998 Pleasant cheese and raspberry Chianti. | 1999 12.5%. Imbottaglio All’origine Da R Drighi, Viticoltore – Montelupo, Italy. Imported by Bottle Green. Light, not very interesting red, a bit thin and almost stringy, but clean and improves after standing open for a day, tasted with Laure and Karine in Tunbridge Wells, December 2000, best with food as a quaffer. | 2001 80% Sangiovese + 20% Canaiolo. Good crisp fruit at Millésime Bio 2003. | 2015 AB. 13%, L01/16. Bought in a supermarket in Chiusi Sat 11 march 2017 whilst Sil’s white Fiesta was being serviced and tried a few days later: bit green and blurred/light, bog standard

Chianti DOCG, Vigna la Reina: 1994 Sangiovese. Governo. 12% alc. | 1997 Sangiovese. | 1998 Chunky tannin, ripe, shows good length, a little monotone. | 2001 Governo. Dusty and crisp at Mill Bio Narbonne 2003.

Chianti DOCG Fior di Selva Barrique: 1994 Vina da Tavola di Toscana Rosso. 12m in new oak, 13%, Ve (£9.89 Vinceremos).

Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Darno: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo.

IGT Toscana Colle dei Mandorli: 100% Merlot.

Sweet wines

Vin Santo del Chianti DOC Malmantico: 1995 Malvasia. Three months drying on racks, three years in casks.

Other activities:

Grappa Fior di Selva and Riserva Grappa Fior di Selva made using Calderini steam equipment (low grade, discontinuous?). Olio Extravergine di Oliva, estate grown, hand picked olives, stone ground, first pressing. | Ceramic, Cooking and Painting courses. Restaurant: Podere La Querce with 80 square metre function room (see accommodation). Tours include the olive groves and oil mill.

Agritourism: Podere Casanova: old farmhouse in the vineyards and woods which has been converted into 7 appartments. There is a large common room and an arched terrace, plus a swimming pool, a shop selling the estate’s products, and outdoor pizza oven and mountain bikes.

Podere Frantoio: this farmhouse offers an appartment with open fireplace, and houses the oil mill. Guests must use the pool and restaurants at Podere la Querce and Podere Casanova

Podere La Querce: this farmhouse lies in the olive groves and has four appartments, each with TV, telephone and open fireplace. Next to the house is an old barn which has been converted into a small restaurant with a large common room suitable for functions and conferences. There is also a swimming pool.

Contact

Tenuta San Vito in Fior di Selva

Via San Vito, 59

50056 Montelupo Fiorentino (FI), Italy

Tel+39 (0)571.51411

Website: www.san-vito./com/en