Located in the beating heart of Chianti Classico, the company has always been a beacon of innovation in biodiversity. In 2018, well before this practice became central to the valorization of Sangiovese, Montefili undertook a visionary study of its soils in collaboration with Vitenova, affirming its commitment to understanding and interpreting the unique terroir that surrounds the estate.
This investigation revealed an extraordinary complexity in the different plots, showing how Sangiovese, a variety deeply tied to the land, was able to express very distinct and very refined nuances.
The results have highlighted the unique and unrepeatable character of Montefili vineyards, a direct reflection of their deep connection with the soil. This approach has consolidated the company as one of the most attentive and advanced realities in the territory, anticipating fundamental trends today in the Chianti Classico winemaking panorama.
“ Thanks to these studies ,” explains oenologist Serena Gusmeri , “ Montefili has decided to vinify each parcel separately, respecting the age of the vineyards, exposure, altitude and, of course, the type of soil. Our method allows us to enhance the individual identities of Sangiovese, a grape variety deeply tied to the territory, which can uniquely express the characteristics of the soils from which it is born. The variable altitudes, between 480 and 540 meters above sea level, add further nuances, helping to define the distinctive character of each Montefili wine .”
Not for nothing, in 2022 the publication of the Atlas of the vineyards and UGA of Chianti Classico confirmed many of the intuitions that Montefili had already explored through its territorial research work. This document further strengthened the importance of the diversification of the soils of Chianti Classico, giving full recognition to the value of zoning to understand the territorial specificities.
The company's vineyards , in fact, located on lands that were formed during the glaciation, have their roots in three distinct types of soil: Pietraforte, Alberese and Argillite Schistose . Each soil offers unique characteristics that influence the vines, creating a variety of expressions of Sangiovese that are reflected in the wines produced.
Pietraforte , a particularly resistant limestone rock rich in sand, provides structure and solidity.
The Alberese , with its layers of limestone and clay, enriches the soil with precious minerals, while the Argillite Schistose , with their stratified characteristics, give life to the galestro, a rock that significantly influences the personality of the wine.
The work in the vineyard has been oriented from the very beginning to protect the peculiarities of each parcel, a commitment that continues in the cellar, where the vinifications respect the identity of the vineyard.
Today, with minimal intervention, the winemaker Gusmeri and the entire company staff let the soils speak through the wine, choosing different woods to delicately accompany the evolution of the Sangiovese and allowing each vineyard to tell its own story.
With this far-sighted approach, Montefili today does not limit itself to producing wine, but tells a story rooted in the land itself, in which each bottle becomes a tribute to the territory and its diversity.
The combination of scientific research, respect for tradition and innovation has made the company an exemplary model in the Chianti Classico area.
