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Fattoria di Fiano
Primo la terra (First the land)
The ancient hamlet ofl Fiano, known originally as Alfiano because it belonged to
the noble Florentine family of the Alfani, is perched on a ridge that forms the
watershed between two valleys, the Valdelsa and the Valdipesa. The Fiano estate,
la Fattoria di Fiano, has belonged to the Bing family since 1940. That
estate--its chapel, the villa with its stables, the olive press, the wine
cellars along with the other farm buildings, surrounded by its vineyards and
olive trees--is located on the edge of Fiano, on the way to nearby Certaldo.
Geometrically-precise rows of trees checker the flow of these rolling lands,
their march interrupted and softened by remains of past ages, by ancient
farmsteads, stray cypresses, sinuous white roads, and Romanesque country
churches. The observant traveler who pauses here, struck by the loveliness of
this landscape, may grasp something of the soul of this territory: lands
destined by their exposure, climate, and geological origins to bring forth only
the highest quality, fields which seem to work together with the vineyardist,
aware that only synergies of ancient knowledge and modern techniques, of the ear
tuned to ancient voices and the eye fixed clearly on the present are capable of
results that answer ever-welling hopes.
Fiano Today
As seen from our Poggio ai Monti vineyard, the individual parcels that make up
our 65 hectare (160 acres) estate spead out, fan-like, from east to west. In
fact, at an altitude of 330 meters (1,082 ft.), this is an ideal observation
point, where one’s gaze can take in the entire Valdelsa area and beyond--on
clear, wind-swept winter days, from the snow-clad peaks of Abetone and Monte
Cimone down to Gimignano’s forest of medieval towers and still further south to
the steam-laden fumaroles of Siena’s Colline Metallifere, or from the slopes of
Monte Amiata on the south-east right to the northern bulwark of the Apuan Alps,
their massive shapes dominating the dusky close of lovely summer days.
At little less than one kilometer from the village of Fiano, fourteen hectares
are located in the area of Novoli, where the the Vergignolo flows through a
pleasant valley on its way to the river Elsa. The Pliocene formations that
created the sub-soils of the area represent three different types of lithology:
tufo, or volcanic tuff; mattaione, the typical Tuscan hard-packed clay; and
formations of a pebble and coarse sand mixture. The actual soils to which these
sub-formations gave rise show a clay-loam/clayey character around Novoli, while
on the Fiano estate’s 65 hectares, on the other hand, the consistency is in
between, predominantly clay, but always with a solid pebbly structure. A careful
analysis of structural characteristics of each section led to the identification
of specific soils best suited to each grape variety, thus setting in motion a
natural synergy for the creation of wines with outstanding and unique
personalities.
FIANESCO
Ugo Bing
Classification: Indicazione Geografica Tipica Toscana (IGT Toscana)
Rich, complex, multi-faceted, the
mirror image of the Fiano hills that give it birth. The harmony of its parts
quickly beguiles you, enraptures you, then brings you sated relaxation.
WINE INFORMATION:
IN THE VINEYARD
Soils and vineyards:
- The “Vigna Alberini” and the
“Vigna Vecchia di Novoli” (planted 1997 and 1964), with eastern exposure at
240-280 m. (790-900 ft.) elevation; planted on the clay-loam soils of Novoli
their rows are oriented north-northeast/south-southeast;
- The “Vigna dei Sangiovesi” (planted 1995) and the “Vigna grande di Novoli”
(planted 1964 and 1971), with northwest exposure, at 220-300 meters (720-980
ft.) elevation; planted on the clay-loam soils of Novoli, in the Val di Pesa,
their vine-rows are oriented northwest/southeast;
- The “Vigna Fiano” (planted 1998) and the “Vignone” (planted 2000), with east
and southeast exposure, between 300 and 330 meters (980-1,080 ft.) elevation;
planted on soils of clay and loam rich in alluvial cobbles, their vine-rows run
north/south following the contours of the hills, with a plant density of 5,000
vines/hectare (2,025/acre).
- The “Vigna Capaccia” (planted 2001) with southeast exposure, at 300 m (980 ft)
elevation; planted on medium-mixed soils predominantly sandy, with 6,000
vines/ha (2,430/acres) and 6 clones of the syrah grape.
- The “Vigna del Poggiamonti,” in which were planted in 2002/2003 vineyard
selections of native Tuscan varieties recently “rediscovered” and tested for
their resemblance to sangiovese. At 330 m (1,080 ft.) elevation, on the highest
part of the hill which spreads like a fan from east to west, the Pliocene
alluvial soils are rocky limestone; this will be planted with 5-6,000 vines/ha
(2,025-2,425/acre) of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Grape varieties, training
systems, and yields:
Four-fifths of the grapes from
which Fianesco is produced come from over 30 different types of Sangiovese;
the Fattoria di Fiano possesses, in fact, some ten distinct sangiovese vineyard
selections, obtained from historic Chianti-area farms and old vineyards about to
be removed, that have been compared with more than 20 registered sangiovese
clones. The remaining grapes are Colorino del Valdarno (2 estate vineyard
selections, one a red-stemmed version, the other green, plus 2 registered
clones), Merlot (7 registered clones), and Canaiolo (Fattoria di
Fiano vineyard selection and 5 registered clones); added to these will be the
syrah and cabernet, as well as the “emerging” native Tuscan
varieties.
The new vineyards utilize a spur-trained cordon system, trained at 50-55 cm
(19-22 inches) from the ground to avoid the danger represented by late frosts on
those terrains. The older vineyards still have the doppio capovolto system, with
two long canes arching down from the top of the trunk. Our viticultural program
does not dictate maximum production figures, which are calculated after harvest
for statistical purposes. Rather, our method is to track each grapevine: each
vine, if observed carefully and regularly, will show indications of how many
clusters it is able to ripen, keeping within its own vegetative/productive
parameters. Each vine may thus yield from 1 to 3 kg ( 2.2-6.6 lbs) of grapes,
varying according to the vineyard density, training system, and age.
The subject--or myth--of old, or, better, obsolete vineyards has been
responsible for much nonsense; consider this, however:
Old Vineyard A, 30-40 years old, with 1,500-1,800 remaining vines, produces 40
quintals/ha.(1.78 tons/acre) and thus 2.2-2.65 kg (4.9-5.8 lbs) per vine.
Young Vineyard B, 5 years old, has 6,000 vines/hectare (2,429/acre) and produces
60 quintals (2.67 t/a), thus 50% more than the other vineyard, at a production
level of 1 kg (2.2 lbs) per vine.
In your opinion, which will produce higher-quality grapes?
IN THE WINECELLAR
Here all the preceding 9 months’
work in the vineyard comes to fruition. The picking of the grapes is executed in
2-3 separate passes, in order to obtain small lots of grapes that will be
uniform in the maturity of the phenolic compounds contained in skins and seeds.
The grapes which will go into Fianesco are the choicest clusters, those picked
on the third pass. Fermentation is carried out through the usual process of
ensuring that temperature, length of time, and effective extraction are
proportional to the phenolic potential specific to each lot of grapes, so that
the best qualities emerge. Maturation of Fianesco takes place in small French
oak barrels.
Winemaker Federico Staderini’s “receipe” for ennobling the grapes
intended for Fianesco is respect for age-old practices, a sense of sound
tradition, and the creative tension with both of these represented by tested
scientific progress.
CHIANTI COLLI
FIORENTINI
CHIANTI COLLI FIORENTINI RISERVA
Classification: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)
A Chianti of immense charm and elegance, the
perfect expression of Fiano terroir. In suitable years a Reserve is produced, a
wine of great character and sumptuous bouquet.
WINE INFORMATION:
IN THE VINEYARD
Soils and vineyards:
- The “Vigna dei Sangiovesi” (planted 1995) and the “Vigna grande di Novoli”
(planted 1964 and 1971), with northwest exposure, at 220-300 meters (720-980
ft.) elevation; planted on the clay-loam soils of Novoli, in the Val di Pesa,
their vine-rows are oriented northwest/southeast;
- The “Vigna Fiano” (planted 1998) and the “Vignone” (planted 2000), with east
and southeast exposure, between 300 and 330 meters (980-1,080 ft.) elevation;
planted on soils of clay and loam rich in alluvial cobbles, their vine-rows run
north/south following the contours of the hills, with a plant density of 5,000
vines/hectare (2,025/acre).
Grape varieties, training systems, and yields:
Four-fifths of the grapes from which the Chianti Colli Fiorentini is produced
come from over 30 different types of sangiovese; the Fattoria di Fiano
possesses, in fact, some ten distinct sangiovese vineyard selections, obtained
from historic Chianti-area farms and old vineyards about to be removed, that
have been compared with more than 20 registered
Sangiovese clones. The remaining grapes are
Canaiolo (Fattoria di Fiano vineyard selection and 5 registered
clones),
Colorino del Valdarno (2 estate vineyard selections, one a
red-stemmed version, the other green, plus 2 registered clones), and
Merlot (7 registered clones). The new vineyards utilize a
spur-trained cordon system, trained at 50-55 cm (19-22 inches) from the ground
to avoid the danger represented by late frosts on those terrains. The older
vineyards still have the doppio capovolto system, with two long canes arching
down from the top of the trunk. Our viticultural program does not dictate
maximum production figures, which are calculated after harvest for statistical
purposes. Rather, our method is to track each grapevine: each vine, if observed
carefully and regularly, will show indications of how many clusters it is able
to ripen, keeping within its own vegetative/productive parameters. Each vine may
thus yield from 1 to 3 kg ( 2.2-6.6 lbs) of grapes, varying according to the
vineyard density, training system, and age.
The subject--or myth--of old, or, better, obsolete vineyards has been
responsible for much nonsense; consider this, however:
Old Vineyard A, 30-40 years old, with 1,500-1,800 remaining vines, produces 40
quintals/ha.(1.78 tons/acre) and thus 2.2-2.65 kg (4.9-5.8 lbs) per vine.
Young Vineyard B, 5 years old, has 6,000 vines/hectare (2,429/acre) and produces
60 quintals (2.67 t/a), thus 50% more than the other vineyard, at a production
level of 1 kg (2.2 lbs) per vine.
In your opinion, which will produce higher-quality grapes?
In the winecellar:
Here all the preceding 9 months’ work in the vineyard comes to fruition. The
picking of the grapes is executed in 2-3 separate passes, in order to obtain
small lots of grapes that will be uniform in the maturity of the phenolic
compounds contained in skins and seeds. Fermentation is carried out through the
usual process of ensuring that temperature, length of time, and effective
extraction are proportional to the phenolic potential specific to each lot of
grapes. If all unduly rough handling is avoided, only the best qualities will
emerge.
The Chianti Colli Fiorentini matures in 20-27 hl (525- 713 gal.) newly-purchased
Slavonian oak ovals; part ages in Euorpean small oak barrels with 2-3 previous
aging cycles.
Winemaker Federico Staderini’s “receipe” for ennobling the grapes of
Fattoria di Fiano is respect for age-old practices, a sense of sound tradition,
and the creative tension with both of these represented by tested scientific
progress.
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