A guide to Canaiolo worth seeking out, by region. We list the estates, how each region expresses the grape, and the bottles that show it best.

Canaiolo in Tuscany

Tenuta di Capezzana ★ 4.7

Carmignano DOCG and Vin Santo di Carmignano DOCSangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Canaiolo, Trebbiano Toscano, San Colombano96 haFounded 1920Contini Bonacossi familyWinemaker Benedetta Contini BonacossiICEACarmignano DOCG

Contini Bonacossi family estate at Carmignano with vineyard records back to 804 AD on the property. Wine production formalised in 1920; certified organic and a Carmignano DOCG benchmark.

Tasting: Cellar tours, Vin Santo vinsantaia visits, vineyard walks and on-site agriturismo accommodation; certified organic.

Signature wines: capezzana-villa-di-capezzana, capezzana-trefiano-riserva, capezzana-vin-santo-di-carmignano-riserva

Scores: Wine Advocate 93 (2018), Vinous 93 (2018)

Montevertine ★ 4.9

Toscana IGT (estate withdrew from Chianti Classico DOCG consortium in 1981)Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino18 haFounded 1967Manetti family (Martino Manetti, son of founder Sergio Manetti)Winemaker Martino Manetti with consulting from Giulio Gambelli historically and currently Paolo SalviToscana IGT (Radda in Chianti)

Sergio Manetti founded Montevertine at Radda in 1967 and walked out of the Chianti Classico consortium in 1981 to bottle pure Sangiovese as Toscana IGT. Le Pergole Torte (1977 first vintage) is the canonical pure-Sangiovese IGT.

Tasting: Cellar tour and tasting by appointment only; small-group visits hosted at the estate cellar at Radda in Chianti.

Signature wines: le-pergole-torte, montevertine-rosso, pian-del-ciampolo

Scores: Wine Advocate 97 (2019), Vinous 96 (2019)

Pacina ★ 4.6

Toscana IGT and Chianti Colli Senesi DOCGSangiovese, Canaiolo, CiliegioloFounded 1980Tiezzi-Borsa family (Giovanna Tiezzi and Stefano Borsa)Biodynamic PracticingECOCERTChianti Classico

Tenth-century monastic estate east of Siena. Giovanna Tiezzi and Stefano Borsa make age-worthy, naturally fermented Sangiovese with no filtration and minimal sulfur.

Tip: Pacina is also a working farm; cellar visits often include olive oil, cereals and pulses tastings beyond wine.

Querciavalle (Losi) ★ 4.4

Chianti Classico DOCG and Toscana IGTSangiovese, Canaiolo, ColorinoFounded 1965Losi familyECOCERTChianti Classico (Castelnuovo Berardenga)

Losi family Chianti Classico estate at Pontignanello, certified organic since 2014. Classic Sangiovese governo all'uso toscano and a Vin Santo aged a decade in caratelli.

Tip: Book the Vin Santo vertical with the family directly; the Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Millennium ages for 10-plus years in caratelli before release.

All Tuscany vineyards →

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