Biography
Vicchiomaggio is one of the loveliest historic residences of Tuscany, surrounded as it is by grounds of over 375 acres. It has hosted such illustrious figures as Leonardo da Vinci and Francesco Redi, who composed on this spot his famous poem “Bacchus in Tuscany”. The current owners are John and Paola Matta. The origins of the castle, first called Vicchio dei Longobardi, data from the early 15th century, as documented by old scrolls still in existence today. It is situated atop a hill which dominates the entire Greve river valley, fifteen miles from Florence and thirty from Siena, a highly strategic spot within the Chianti Classico area. The viticultural estate, supervised by the owners with the assistance of highly qualified personnel, produces an entire range of high level wines, all different, all in a separate style which vary from the traditional to the innovative. But all are fundamentally expressions of the zone in which they are produced. To obtain these results the entire property has been analyzed and classified according to the soil type and vineyard exposure. Among the wines of the cellar is the Chianti Classico San Jacopo, named for an old stone farmhouse of the estate. A blend of Sangiovese (90%), Canaiolo (5%), and Colorino (5%), it is aged in large casks and is quite classic in style. The blend of traditional grape varieties gives this wine, well structured and richly fruity, an attractive color and notes of violets, plums, and cherries. The wine is warm and supple on the palate as well, an excellent match with steak and grilled meat. The Chianti Classico Riserva Petri, from a vineyard with over 20 years of age, is, instead, aged in small oak barrels for six months before going into larger (2500-7500 liter) casks for a further nine months of aging. A wine of excellent structure: it is fruity, spicy, and warm, a fine accompaniment to red meat. Finally, the Chianti Classico Riserva La Prima, from a thirty five year old vineyard, is a wine sought after by connoisseurs all over the world (12,000 bottles is the annual production). An intense ruby red in color, powerful on the nose, concentrated and with aromas of dried flowers, ripe red fruit, and lightly spicy, it is ample and soft in flavor and goes well with soups, particularly the classic Tuscan bread soup, spit-grilled meat, and cheese of a certain age.