2020 Isola e Olena Cepparello

Since the mid-1970 Paolo de Marchi has led the revolution that occurred in Chianti Classico in Tuscany. As a young man, he graduated college and left his native Piemonte for an unproductive family farm in Tuscany. He has helped elevate the ancient grape Sangiovese (the blood of Jove), to world-class. His wines have been ambassadors around the world and highlight how far the inexpensive, insipid Chianti of the past has improved to become one of the most prized wines and wine regions anywhere. Cepparello is the flagship wine of the estate and is truly a "WOW" wine that must be tasted to truly appreciate it.

The name ‘Isole e Olena’ came about in the 1950s when the De Marchi family purchased and combined two adjoining small towns, ‘Isole’ and ‘Olena’, each of which dated back hundreds of years. The estate is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico region at the midway point between Siena and Florence. 

For Paolo, showcasing the “typicity of Chianti” is more than simply a philosophical or stylistic debate. As a winemaker, his number one priority is to connect the wines to the land where the vines are grown. Through this hands-off approach to winemaking, these wines are uniquely known for linking freshness to contrasting intensity, depth, and longevity. In 1980, Paolo pioneered his flagship wine, Cepparello, made from 100% Sangiovese. This wine has been classified as a “Super Tuscan”, as it violates the traditional Chianti Classico regulations that include a white grape variety into the final blend. As a result of Paolo’s successful technique, this wine set the standard for the pure Sangiovese movement. The wine is made from a top selection of the estate's best fruits from the vineyards in Barberino Val d'Elsa in the northern part of Chianti Classico.