Vineyards Magazine

Three distinct territories, a pioneering approach rooted in meticulous research, and an early intuition dating back to 2007: that the future of Chianti Classico would depend on recognising the unique identity of each vineyard.

This vision set in motion a long path of observation, micro-vinification and tasting, culminating today in the release of three new Gran Selezione, alongside their predecessors — single-origin Sangiovese wines that laid the foundation for what followed.

Querciabella’s vineyards lie in the hills of Chianti Classico, spanning the commune of Greve in Chianti —between Ruffoli and Lamole— and Radda in Chianti. From this mosaic of soils, altitudes, exposures and microclimates, the estate’s Gran Selezione take shape. With the 2021 vintage, they reach a new level of definition in three distinct expressions, each reflecting Querciabella’s long-standing dialogue with the territory and its Genius Loci that has always guided its vision.

For nearly two decades —well before the introduction of the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione category in 2014 and the recognition of the UGAs in 2021— Querciabella has explored, with sensitivity and determination, the character of its Sangiovese: vinified as single-parcel wines across sites that would later be identified as “Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive”.

Today, the Castiglioni family, led by Mita Castiglioni, presents the result of a long-term vision that anticipated the evolution of Chianti Classico.

The result is three distinct wines: Querciabella 2021 Gran Selezione Greve, a Sangiovese of depth and balance, shaped by the galestro, sandstone and clay soils of Ruffoli; Querciabella Gran Selezione Radda, from vineyards at 400 to 450 metres, where a cooler climate and slower ripening give rise to structure, tension and depth; Querciabella Gran Selezione Sa-La — for Sangiovese-Lamole (with the geographical unit to appear on the label from the next vintage), from high-altitude terraces reaching up to 600 metres on sandy Macigno soils, expressing the most ethereal, vibrant and floral profile of the three.

Yet, the story neither begins nor ends here. Alongside the three Gran Selezione, Querciabella unveils a collection of wines that are both historic and forward-looking: the core of the Single-Origin Sangiovese project.

The tangible results of vinifications carried out between 2007 and 2020 —carefully catalogued and preserved in the estate’s cellars— now form an exceptional range of rare IGT Toscana wines, a unique archive that bridges the future with the past. Produced in only a few thousand bottles for each vintage and territory (now UGA), they reveal the remarkable ageing potential of Sangiovese across distinct sites, marking the beginning of a new chapter that has been long in the making.

Querciabella has brought this heritage to life through extremely limited, one-off releases, featuring collectable labels that detail each parcel. Selected quantities will be released over the coming years, reserved for the most discerning enthusiasts and collectors.

Each of the three Gran Selezione 2021 has been produced in approximately 2,600 bottles each and is available on international markets from April.