Fonterutoli Badiola Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2022
Country
Italy
Region
Tuscany
Grape Varieties
Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera, Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Wine Types
Still, Red
About Castello di Fonterutoli
Castello di Fonterutoli is a historic Chianti Classico estate in Tuscany, Italy, owned by the Mazzei family since 1435 and located near Castellina in Chianti. Known for Sangiovese-led Tuscan wine, Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, Gran Selezione and Super Tuscan blends, Fonterutoli combines almost six centuries of heritage with precision viticulture and a state-of-the-art gravity cellar. Castello di Fonterutoli offers a benchmark for Chianti Classico and Tuscan fine wine, with a range that spans regional identity, single-parcel expression and age-worthy red wines.
The history of Castello di Fonterutoli is closely linked to the Mazzei family, one of Tuscany’s most established winemaking families. Their documented history in wine dates back to the early eleventh century, with Castello di Fonterutoli becoming part of the family estate in 1435.
Located five kilometres south of Castellina in Chianti, the estate still retains the character of a historic Tuscan village, with houses, the church of San Miniato and the villa built at the end of the 1500s on the site of the former medieval castle. This long connection between family, land and village gives Fonterutoli a distinctive identity within Chianti Classico.
Heritage
Tradition shaped by innovation
Today, the Mazzei family continues to guide the estate with a philosophy based on improvement, research and respect for place. Lapo Mazzei oversees the property with the next generations of the family, including Filippo, Francesco and Giovanni.
Fonterutoli’s reputation has been built on the ability to preserve Tuscan tradition while investing in modern viticulture and winemaking. This is particularly evident in the estate’s focus on Sangiovese clonal research, parcel-by-parcel vineyard management and a cellar designed to translate vineyard detail into the finished wine.
Region and Vineyards
In the heart of Chianti Classico
Castello di Fonterutoli covers 650 hectares in the heart of Chianti Classico. Around 110 hectares are planted to specialised vineyards, organised across multiple zones and 114 individual parcels. These vineyards sit between 220 and 570 metres above sea level, with varied exposures and microclimates that contribute to the complexity of the wines.
The soils are typical of the area, with Galestro, a classic Tuscan shale, and Alberese, a compact limestone marl. These well-draining soils encourage deep root systems, helping to produce wines with structure, mineral depth and aromatic complexity.
Sangiovese and Super Tuscan expression
Sangiovese is central to Fonterutoli’s identity. The estate works with a large selection of Sangiovese clones, matched to different vineyard areas according to altitude, exposure and soil. Higher sites such as Fonterutoli and Badiola bring aroma, finesse and elegance, while lower areas such as Siepi and Belvedere add structure, intensity and longevity.
Alongside Sangiovese, the estate also grows Malvasia, Colorino, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This allows Fonterutoli to produce both classic Chianti Classico wines and Super Tuscan blends, offering a broad expression of Tuscany from one historic estate.
Viticulture and Winemaking
Parcel-by-parcel vineyard work
Viticulture at Fonterutoli is based on detailed zoning and separate management of each micro-zone. The 114 parcels are harvested by hand and vinified separately, allowing the estate to preserve the individuality of each site and build complexity through blending.
The vineyards are planted at high density, with low yields designed to enhance concentration and quality. Natural treatments, elimination of chemical weeding and topdressing, green manure, compost from production waste and biological pest control all form part of the estate’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
A low-impact gravity cellar
The Fonterutoli cellar has been operational since 2006 and was designed by family member Agnese Mazzei. Built with low environmental impact in mind, the winery uses gravity throughout the production process, from grape reception to vinification and ageing.
The cellar includes 74 steel vats designed to vinify individual parcels separately. At 15 metres below ground, the barrel cellar uses natural underground water streams to regulate temperature and humidity. More than 3,000 oak barrels are housed in this environment, where wines mature slowly and naturally. The result is a winemaking approach focused on precision, elegant tannins, colour stability and the preservation of vineyard identity.
Style of Wine
Castello di Fonterutoli produces still Tuscan wines, led by red wines from Sangiovese alongside Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Chianti Classico wines are structured, elegant and savoury, with red cherry, spice, floral notes, fine tannins and the freshness expected from high-quality Sangiovese.
The Riserva and Gran Selezione wines offer greater depth, concentration and ageing potential, while wines such as Siepi demonstrate the estate’s Super Tuscan dimension, combining Tuscan identity with international varieties. Across the range, the Fonterutoli style is refined, detailed and food-friendly, with balance between fruit intensity, freshness, structure and oak integration.
A Tuscan benchmark in the UK wine trade
Castello di Fonterutoli offers a complete Tuscan ladder from one historic estate. Chianti Classico supports by-the-glass and regional listings, while Riserva, Gran Selezione and Super Tuscan blends add depth for fine dining, independent retail and collector-led lists. Its parcel-led approach helps fill Tuscany gaps with provenance, scale and consistency.
