Le Fonti Panzano La Lepre Toscana IGT

La Lepre Toscana IGT from Fattoria Le Fonti Panzano

A young bunny with fruitiness and freshness

At Fattoria Le Fonti, they know how the hare runs - not least because the surrounding vineyards are home to plenty of these hopping contemporaries. And Fattoria Le Fonti's house wine is named after the hare - the "Lepre", which is of course also depicted on the label of the wine bottle. La Lepre is made from Sangiovese grapes with an admixture of Merlot - five to 15 percent depending on the vintage. As always, these grapes, which naturally grow on the same vineyards as the grapes for all other Le Fonti wines, are harvested by hand. These are valuable grapes, but they do not meet 100% of Vicky and Guido's high standards for their classified Chianti Classico wines. The subsequent fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks to preserve the fruity aromas. La Lepre then matures for eight months in used French oak barrels - after which the "young bunny" is bottled. In terms of style, La Lepre resembles a young Chianti. With its fruitiness, freshness and good acidity, it is the ideal accompaniment to food. For example, simply and simply with a pizza. And perhaps Vicky and Guido had the idea for this wine during one of their legendary pizza evenings with friends and family... One of those evenings where it's not the label that counts, but the content and the fun.

Typical Tuscan wines - preferably from Panzano

In the heart of the Chianti Classico wine region, exactly halfway between Florence and Siena, you will find the best conditions for the world-famous red wines of Tuscany. Vicky and Guido Schmitt-Vitali, the two owners of Fattoria Le Fonti, have dedicated themselves to viticulture and olive oil production here. The entrance to their winery is in the middle of the medieval town of Panzano. The basis of Le Fonti's range is formed by a typical, very easy-drinking Chianti Classico, a Chianti Classico Riserva and, since the 2013 vintage, a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. Le Fonti also scores with the internationally award-winning Super Tuscan "Fontissimo", a fruity, fresh rosato and the house wine "La Lepre". A fruity, spicy olive oil rounds off the range.

Fattoria Le Fonti: organic, buono, buonissimo!

In recent years, the area around the small town of Panzano has been named "Italy's organic district" by the international wine press. More than two decades ago, the winegrowers of Panzano joined together to form the "Unione di Viticoltori di Panzano". One of the aims of the Unione is to cultivate the vineyards in an organic and sustainable manner. Vicky and Guido's vineyards are also certified organic. Naturally, plenty of Sangiovese - the autochthonous leading variety of Chianti Classico - grows here. But the two international grape varieties Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon can also be found in the vineyards of Le Fonti. Not forgetting the 1,500 olive trees that grow and thrive here. The vineyards extend across the "Alta Valle della Greve" - the Greve Valley, which lies at the back of the Conca d'Oro. This part of Panzano has a somewhat cooler climate - an advantage for the gentle ripening of the grapes in the hot summers.

A gourmet vacation in Tuscany

One thing is clear: if you spend your vacation in Tuscany, you won't miss out on indulgence. Fattoria Le Fonti is of course also a top destination for connoisseurs. You can't miss the signs in and around Panzano that show guests the way to Vicky and Guido's estate. And this much can be revealed in advance: The expectations of wine lovers and connoisseurs will not be disappointed here. On a tour through the cellar and the mountain, Vicky reveals some of the winemaker's secrets and, of course, a tasting of the fine wines is a must at the end. From fruity Chianti Classico to spicy olive oil.

In Italy, in the region Tuscany, in the region Chianti Classico, in Panzano in Chianti

Vicky Schmitt-Vitali

Marco Pierucci

8.5 ha of which 5.7 ha are classified as Chianti Classico

Galestro

Southeast

350 - 450 meters above sea level.

5,500 - 6,000 plants per ha

Cordon