2018 Casanuova di Nittardi 'Vigna Doghessa' Chianti Classico

The Nittardi Estate was originally a defensive tower known as early as 1183 by the name of “Nectar Dei” (The Nectar of the God). In the 16th century, the vast property belonged to the Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti who, in 1549, while finishing the Sistine Chapel, wrote to his nephew Lionardo: “I’d prefer two casks of wine rather than eight shirts.” On that same occasion, Michelangelo also sent Nittardi wine to Rome as a “genuine gift to the Pope Paolo III”. Today, in honor of that tradition, every year the first bottles of Nectar Dei, the top wine from the Maremma vineyards, are presented to the Pope.

Casanuova di Nittardi is a pure Sangiovese from the single vineyard “Vigna Doghessa”. The vineyard lies in the commune of Castellina in Chianti (Siena) on a south-facing hill at 450 meters (1500 ft) above sea level and has a soil full of schist stones, which engenders the wine with a strong minerality and pleasant freshness. As all the vineyards also Doghessa is certified organic.

Carlo Ferrini has been part of the Nittardi Team since 1991. From the day that he left the Chianti Classico Consorzio, he has supervised the vineyards and winemaking at Nittardi. In 2008, the American publication Wine Enthusiast proclaimed him “Winemaker of the Year”. In 2003, the Associazione Italiana Sommelier declared him “Enologist of the Year”, a title that had already been bestowed upon him three years earlier by Gambero Rosso. Today, Carlo Ferrini, Tuscan by culture and Bordelaise by passion, works with renowned estates all over Italy. His clients have included Mazzei's Fonterutoli, San Leonardo, Brancaia, Brolio, and Poliziano. Carlo's own project is called Giodo.

Since 1981, Nittardi has paid annual homage to Michelangelo by having internationally recognized artists such as Hundertwasser, Yoko Ono, Günter Grass or Dario Fo create the label and wrapping paper. The artwork for the 2018 vintage was entrusted to the artist Johannes Heisig. The two paintings that the German artist dedicated to our Chianti Classico are a hymn to earth and the fruits that bring joy and seduce us. While the wrapping paper is his personal vision of our Vigna Doghessa on the label he painted a Bacchus that offers a glass of wine to Sibyl, since always muse of all artists.