Tenuta Il Palagio | Sting

Figline-Valdarno is not necessarily the postcard idyll in Tuscany that we all have in mind. This begins only a few kilometres southwest behind the next chain of hills of the Colli Fiorentini. The two villages that have grown together are rather the supply centre of the northern Chianti region. There's everything here. From the toothbrush to the tractor. Industry, DIY stores, warehouses, car dealerships and every supermarket chain has a branch here.

This isn't a drop-out where you buy a vineyard? The married couple Trudie Styler and Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, better known as Sting, bought a 16th century villa as a summer residence here twenty years ago. From the idea of using the property only for private purposes and "provide the family with a healthy, natural environment and wholesome food"has become much more than that. Because around 350 hectares of hilly land with olive groves, fruit trees, fields, meadows and vineyards are not exactly a small area, even with six children. So the estate was partly opened to the public and there is even an organic shop where you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, your own salami and wine. The olive oil, the jams and the excellent own honey are now even available at Harrods in London.

Paolo Rossi, the "Estate Manager" was born and raised in Il Palagio. His family's been here for generations. Nobody knows the country better than he does. And when you meet him, you realize how much he loves this country. You can hardly find a better caretaker for your day-to-day business. Paolo Cac?orgna has had experience as an enologist in France and California, but his love belongs to his homeland, Tuscany. He is in charge of the biodynamic wine production of Il Palagio according to the Steiner method. Alan York is one of the world's best known "Consultants for biodynamic winegrowers". For more than 40 years he has been looking after wineries around the globe and he was also enthusiastic about the project. A top team that guarantees biodynamic top quality.

Many of the old-established wine producers have always bought grapes from the higher hills south of Florence. Because here, up to 500m above sea level, there are barren, stony beaches, but a good water supply. The nearby Arno valley always brings fresh wind and cooler nights. This gives the grapes a fine spice, juicy fruit and good acidity.

The focus is of course on Sangiovese, which is practically a pure variety in classic Chianti and is refined with very few local grape varieties such as Canaiolo and Colorino. In addition, a little Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are cultivated, which make Sangiovese a top wine. "Sister Moon" support. In recent years, Il Palagio has won many awards, such as the TOP100 in the Winespectator, and has become one of the small ranks of excellent wines in this exclusive competition. "opera wine" in the context of the annual wine fair VinItaly. Some Trebbiano, Vermentino and Sauvignon round off the range of white wine grape varieties.

The wines are fermented and stored in the restored historical vaulted cellar. Especially in old large wooden barrels made of Slavonian oak and a smaller part in barriques made of French wood. Look forward with us to these wonderfully typical and honest Tuscans so completely without glamour factor. SUPERIORE.DE

Founded: 17th century or taken over in 1999
Owners: Sumner family, Sting family and Trudie Styler
enologists and supervisors: Paolo Rossi, Paolo Caciorgna, Alan York
Annual production: approx. 30,000 bottles
Vineyard: approx. 11 hectares
Biodynamic cultivation (partly certified)