Castello di Fonterutoli (Mazzei)

Today's estate covers a total area of 650 hectares, of which 117 are specialised vineyards divided into five zones: Fonterutoli, Siepi, Badiola, Belvedere and Caggio, located between 230 and 500 metres above sea level with south and south-west exposures.

The soil structure results from the disintegration of alberese and sandstone rocks and is very rich in stony skeleton, so much so that the Fonterutoli wine is often called 'the wine of the rocks'. Hence the choice of environmentally friendly cultivation and a production of less than 40 hl per hectare guarantees a consistently high and recognisable quality and personality. The excellent exposure of the vineyards, the exceptional pedological and microclimatic conditions and the density of the vines, which progressively increased to over 7,000 plants per hectare, allow the wines to express complexity, elegance and power.

In particular, Sangiovese, originating from appropriate massal and clonal selections, finds the ideal environment in the four production areas to express its qualitative potential: great fragrance and elegance in the highest areas (Fonterutoli and Badiola), structure and power in the lower ones of Siepi and Belvedere. All the primary cultivation operations - pruning, tying, stripping, and thinning of the bunches - are carried out manually. Harvesting is also carried out by hand at different times for each vineyard to ensure that the grapes arrive at the winery with an optimal degree of ripeness.

Vinification in special truncated conical steel vats and the consistent use of punching-down allows for exceptional colour extraction, with lovely and fine tannins and the preservation of all aromatic components. Once the first fermentation is complete, the wines age in small oak barrels, where they complete malolactic fermentation. All stages, from vinification to maturation in wood, occur separately for each vineyard and variety to ensure the most comprehensive spectrum of characterisation. Shortly after blending, the wines are bottled, where they rest for a few months before being destined for all the most important markets in the world.
Castello di Fonterutoli wines have been perfected over the years thanks to continuous research and innovation in harmony with the winery's culture, history and heritage of technical expertise.