Le Fonti Panzano

Panzano in Chianti

A Family Business in Chianti Classico

Right in the heart of Chianti Classico, halfway between Florence and Siena, you'll find the charming village of Panzano. A few years ago, Vicky Schmitt-Vitali and her husband Guido took over the Fattoria Le Fonti winery from Vicky's father, Konrad. This winery has a long history and is still a true family business today. With tons of passion and dedication, Vicky and Guido have continued and built upon her father's work, making Fattoria Le Fonti a perfect example of a successful family-run business in Tuscany.

In Panzano in Chianti

Fattoria Le Fonti is nestled in the historic center of Panzano in Chianti, just below the village church. The winery spans a total of 15 hectares, with 8.5 hectares dedicated to grapevines. The remaining land is used for growing olive trees. The vineyards are located in the Alta Valle della Greve, the Greve River valley, which sits at about 450 meters above sea level. Its unique spot offers perfect conditions for growing wine. This valley is on the other side of the famous Conca d’Oro and is well-known for its excellent growing conditions.

Cooler Conditions

Fattoria Le Fonti's vineyards are in a cooler part of Panzano, which is a big plus, especially during hot, dry summers. Too much sun can actually hurt the quality of the grapes, so the cooler temperatures here really help the grapes ripen perfectly. Since 1994, Vicky's father Konrad has planted new vines in the vineyards, focusing mainly on the traditional Chianti grape, Sangiovese. They also grow Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to make sure there's a good variety of wines.

"Cool" Wines

Since taking over the winery in 1994, Fattoria Le Fonti has been making classic red wines from the Chianti Classico region. Their core range includes Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva, both famous for their top quality and distinctive taste. With the 2013 vintage, they added the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione to their lineup, a wine made from 100% Sangiovese grapes that meets the highest standards. Another standout wine from the winery is Fontissimo, a 'Supertuscan' made mostly from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Rounding out their selection are a single-varietal Merlot, their house wine 'La Lepre,' a refreshing Rosato, and a high-quality Extra Virgin olive oil.

Organic, Naturally!

For Vicky and Guido, who are parents to three kids, sustainability is at the heart of everything they do. They really care about managing natural resources responsibly, and the winery has been organically certified since 2019. Both the grapevines and their more than 1,500 olive trees are cared for following strict organic guidelines. Vicky and Guido also use gentle methods when processing the grapes and olives to make sure their products are top-notch. They firmly believe that a great wine starts in the vineyard, and that only sustainable farming can guarantee quality in the long run.

A Warm Welcome

Even with all the international awards Fattoria Le Fonti wines have won, Vicky and Guido are actually newcomers to winemaking. Vicky is from Germany, while Guido hails from Tuscany. Both were in completely different careers before they decided to take over and run the winery. Today, Fattoria Le Fonti is one of Tuscany's leading wineries, not far from Greve in Chianti. Visitors are always welcome at the winery and can join tours through the vineyards and wine cellars. Vicky Schmitt-Vitali loves to take the time to explain what makes Le Fonti's vineyards special, introduce the different grape varieties, and invite visitors for a wine tasting in their charming wine cellar.

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