New at Nina in Chianti: The Tenuta degli Dei winery by Tommaso Cavalli!

Tommaso Cavalli from Tenuta degli Dei

I'm always on the hunt for new wineries and exciting wines from Chianti Classico. For a while now, I've occasionally heard about, read about, and even tasted a sip or two of Tommaso Cavalli's wines. And yes, Tommaso Cavalli is the son of the famous fashion designer Roberto Cavalli. And yes, the wines Tommaso makes are excellent. And yes, the time has finally come: you can now buy the amazing wines from Tenuta degli Dei, with that famous Cavalli name, right here in our online shop!

Tenuta degli Dei

In the fermentation cellar, Tommaso explains his winery's philosophy and approach to winemaking.

Tenuta degli Dei is an estate located in the small village of San Leolino in Panzano in Chianti, nestled below the Romanesque church of the same name, covering about 70 hectares. Once you pass through the entrance gate to the Tenuta, a narrow road gently winds its way between horse paddocks, llama enclosures, and vineyards, leading you to the estate's buildings.

The name actually means something like 'God's Estate'. This might be because the wine cellar and winemaking rooms aren't directly on the estate grounds, but actually inside the walls of the Romanesque church of San Leolino. The wine cellar, which you open with a key about the size of an A4 sheet, is an ancient vaulted space, packed with oak barrels where the red treasures mature. And even the room where the steel tanks, riddling racks, and all that stuff live is right next to the church walls.

With a smile, Tommaso says: 'This way, when we're harvesting grapes, we can also hear the readings from the Holy Scripture.' And that's how Cavalli's wines get nothing less than divine assistance right from the start.

Cavalli Tenuta degli Dei

Stylish red wines from a family with style!

The Cavalli family's collection features three red wines in total: two IGTs and one Chianti Classico. First up is the young, fresh Le Redini Toscana Rosso IGT – a blend of 90 percent Merlot and 10 percent Alicante, which ages for ten months in barriques and another six months in the bottle.

Then there's the fuller-bodied Cavalli Toscana Rosso IGT – a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. This wine ages for 18 months in oak barrels and then another twelve months in the bottle. It's worth mentioning that only international grape varieties grow at Tenuta degli Dei for these two wines.

Chianti Classico connoisseurs might immediately ask: 'But how can there be a 'real' Cavalli Chianti Classico without Sangiovese? You need at least 80 percent Sangiovese for that!' It's simple: Tommaso Cavalli has leased his own Sangiovese vineyard nearby, and those grapes are used for Cavalli's Forcole Chianti Classico. The results are pretty impressive – they win international awards, get great reviews at wine tastings, and are enjoyed all over the world. And not just because of the famous name, either...

Aging Cellar

You could say it has a divine blessing, as the cellar is right under the San Leolino church.

When you hear the name Cavalli, you naturally think of fashion designer Roberto Cavalli's extravagant creations. He's considered an Italian style icon himself. But the Cavalli name stands for even more: for example, the successful trotters that son Tommaso breeds on the Tenuta degli Dei estate.

Or for the precious grappa made from their own grapes. Or for the famous Roberto Cavalli Vodka, a must-have at any jet-set party. Cavalli also stands for the new Ginarte, which is refined with Tuscan herbs. And last but not least: for several years now, the Cavalli name has also been synonymous with top-notch Chianti Classico wines!

The Cavallis are simply a family with a knack for good taste and good business...