Le Cinciole
di Valeria e Luca Orsini
Le Cinciole
For many centuries, the name Le Cinciole has been used to describe a beautiful patch of land in Panzano in Chianti: it derives from the Etruscan-Roman name "Le terre di Quintus", which means "the land of Quintus". Today the winery Le Cinciole is owned by Valeria and Luca Orsini. When the two took over the estate in the early 1990s, one thing became clear to them very quickly: the switch to organic and sustainable farming was essential for the preservation of the landscape, the quality of the products and also for the people themselves. It is therefore not surprising that the vineyards have been certified organic since 2002. A total of 30 hectares of land belong to the winery, 11 hectares of which are vineyards. Not only vines grow here, but also about 1,000 olive trees on an area of five hectares, at 400 to 450 meters above sea level.
Cycle of nature
Valeria and Luca Orsini have been producing organic wines of the highest quality for more than 20 years now. The wines are straight and precise – just like the winemakers themselves are. A total of six different wines reveal in the glass the particularity of Le Cinciole and at the same time the terroir of Panzano. At first of course is the Chianti Classico, a 100 per cent Sangiovese. Further pure Sangiovese wines in the assortment are the Riserva with the name Aluigi, the top wine of the house Petresco and the fresh Rosato. All made exclusively from the classical "Chianti grape". International varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah come into the bottle for the mighty Camalaione. Grapes from young vineyards are vinified in Cinciorosso. Oh yes - not to forget the fruity and fresh olive oil which completes the assortment with its "green" taste.
Tradition and technology
A particularity at Le Cinciole is that traditional methods of working and organic farming are supported by the use of state-of-the-art technology. For example, special sensors disposed on the vines collect data that will be evaluated with the help of a special program. That way the condition of the vines and grapes could be monitored in real time and if necessary can be taken intervention at time. This results in no use of pesticides and the vines are fully supplied and constantly deliver the best possible quality. This is the recipe of Le Cinciole's success. It is not for nothing that Luca and Valeria are regarded as pioneers in organic farming in Panzano in Chianti, but at the same time as innovative and open to new ideas.
Valeria & Luca as organic pioneers
When Valeria and Luca say organic, they really mean organic. The electricity needed at Le Cinciole to work in the vineyard or cellar is generated by solar panels that align themselves automatically with the sun's course. The search for pesticides at Le Cinciole is in vain. Moreover some specific plants are planted between the rows of vines in order to maintain the ecological balance in the vineyard. This is how the biggest dandelions ever seen grow between the vines. The two winegrowers follow another organic principle as well: everything that comes from Le Cinciole remains at Le Cinciole. That way all organic waste is collected and conscientiously composted and thus returned to the natural cycle. Valeria is convinced: "To live in harmony with nature and to create a cycle with the environment is both a challenge and an attitude to life".
