Pomino DOC and Toscana IGTPinot Nero, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Sangiovese90 haFounded 1855Frescobaldi family (Marchesi Frescobaldi)Winemaker Niccolo d'AfflittoPomino DOC
High-elevation Frescobaldi estate at Pomino (550 to 700 metres) bordering Chianti Rufina. Pinot Nero and Chardonnay vineyards date to 1855; Benefizio Riserva is one of Tuscany's pioneering barrel-aged Chardonnays.
Tasting: Estate visits and tastings by reservation at the high-altitude Pomino property; the cellar specialises in white-grape work unusual for the region.
Signature wines: pomino-benefizio-riserva, pomino-bianco, pomino-pinot-nero
Scores: Wine Advocate 94 (2021), Vinous 93 (2020)
Chianti Rufina DOCG and Toscana IGTSangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malvasia Nera60 haFounded 1827Federico Giuntini MassetiWinemaker Federico Giuntini Masseti with Franco Bernabei consultingICEAChianti Rufina DOCG
Family-owned Chianti Rufina estate since 1827, certified organic by ICEA. The Bucerchiale single-vineyard Riserva is among Tuscany's most consistently age-worthy Sangiovese under €40.
Tasting: Cellar visits, vineyard walks and tastings by appointment; the Bucerchiale single-vineyard is the long-running flagship.
Signature wines: selvapiana-bucerchiale, selvapiana-chianti-rufina, selvapiana-fornace
Scores: Wine Advocate 96 (2019), Vinous 95 (2019)
Toscana IGT, Val di Cornia DOC and Suvereto DOCGMerlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese32 haFounded 1984Stefano Frascolla and Simena BistiWinemaker Stefano Frascolla with Luca d'Attoma consultingSuvereto DOCG (Val di Cornia coastal area)
Suvereto estate founded 1984; Redigaffi, a 100% Merlot, scored 100 points from Wine Advocate for the 2000 vintage and put the Val di Cornia on the Super Tuscan map.
Tasting: Cellar tours, vineyard walks and tasting flights by appointment at Suvereto, just south of Bolgheri.
Signature wines: tua-rita-redigaffi, tua-rita-giusto-di-notri, tua-rita-perlato-del-bosco
Scores: Wine Advocate 100 (2000), Vinous 97 (2019)
Chianti Classico DOCG and Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOCSangiovese, Canaiolo Nero, Colorino, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Trebbiano Toscano22 haFounded 1999Vicky Schmitt-VitaliWinemaker Vicky Schmitt-Vitali with Stefano Porcinai consultingICEAChianti Classico DOCG
Small Chianti Classico estate at Poggibonsi run by Vicky Schmitt-Vitali since 1999. Certified ICEA-organic; the Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is aged 10 years in caratelli.
Tasting: Small-group estate tastings and cellar visits by appointment; agriturismo rooms available; certified organic.
Signature wines: le-fonti-chianti-classico-riserva, le-fonti-vito-arturo, le-fonti-vin-santo
Scores: Vinous 92 (2019), Wine Advocate 91 (2019)
Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione, Chianti Classico DOCG, and Toscana IGTSangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Abrusco240 haFounded 1141Francesco Ricasoli (32nd generation of the Ricasoli family)Winemaker Massimiliano BiagiChianti Classico DOCG
1,200-hectare estate at Gaiole in Chianti with 240 hectares under vine. Bettino Ricasoli codified the modern Chianti formula here in 1872; the family has owned the castle since 1141 and produces Gran Selezione plus the Casalferro IGT.
Tasting: Cellar visits, guided tastings, wine shop, agriturismo, and the Osteria del Castello restaurant at the Madonna a Brolio property. Open daily 10:00 to 19:00.
Signature wines: castello-di-brolio-gran-selezione, colledila-gran-selezione, casalferro, brolio-bettino
Scores: Wine Advocate 96 (2019), James Suckling 96 (2019)
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)
