2023 Fattoria I Veroni "La Rusticola" Chianti Rufina DOCG

I Veroni’s roots reach back to the Middle Ages, when its vineyards formed part of the vast Conti Guidi feudal estates overlooking the Arno Valley. The original watchtower—now a romantic ruin—still marks the estate’s ancient past, while the cellars retain remnants of their 1809 stone fermentation tanks, blending centuries of history with modern winemaking.

The estate evolved through the Modigliani di Rufina family before being acquired in the early 1900s by Carlo Malesci, whose family still owns it. The name “I Veroni” comes from the large open terraces once used for drying tobacco and grain from the Arno Valley. Today, the property spans 50 hectares in the Pontassieve Hills, with 15 hectares of vineyards and 20 hectares of olive groves set at 240–280 meters altitude—an essential key to its identity.

This elevation places I Veroni at the heart of Chianti Rùfina, the smallest and coolest of the Chianti subzones. Rùfina’s higher altitude and mountain-influenced breezes create a cooler climate, resulting in wines that are brighter, zippier, more aromatic, and naturally higher in acidity than those from Chianti Classico. These wines are famously charming, refreshing, and incredibly food-flexible—the kind of Sangiovese that shines slightly chilled and pairs effortlessly with pizza, pasta, burgers, or any casual dinner spread. They’re also wonderfully crushable, making them perfect for hosting or gifting.

A major turning point came in 1996, when Lorenzo Mariani began revitalizing the estate with oenologist Emilio Monechi, followed by consulting agronomist Dr. A. Paoletti in 2009. Together, they replanted the vineyards to focus on 90% Sangiovese, high-density plantings, sustainable farming, and precision cellar work. The result is a range of Chianti Rùfina DOCG, Chianti Rùfina Riserva, Vin Santo, and select IGT bottlings that seamlessly merge historic Tuscan tradition with modern finesse.

I Veroni stands today as one of the most expressive and quality-driven ambassadors of Chianti Rùfina—crafting wines that are elegant, energetic, and unmistakably shaped by altitude and climate.