Episode 024 | Monia Piccini on Sangiovese and her Fairytale Castle

Monia Piccini from Il Palagio di Panzano in the “Le Bambole” vineyard

Il Palagio di Panzano: A winery with history, character, and Chianti Classico at its heart

In this episode of my podcast "Chianti Classico for your ears - A glass of wine with Nina in Chianti," I visited Monia Piccini at the Il Palagio di Panzano winery – a small, family-run estate with deep roots in Tuscany. Monia runs the winery, which is located exactly between Florence and Siena in beautiful Panzano in Chianti, together with her husband Franco – both are from Panzano and have developed the historic estate with a lot of dedication.

Our chat took place in the estate's garden, overlooking the famous Conca d’Oro – Panzano's golden valley. There, we talk about life as a winemaker, the challenges of the 2020 vintage, how soils and locations influence the wine – and the stories behind the labels of her wines.

Chianti Classico 2020: A wine with memories

We taste the Chianti Classico 2020 together, a vintage that's especially close to Monia's heart. While the world stood still, she became even more aware of how closely her life is connected to nature and the rhythm of the seasons. The wine's aromas remind her of that time, of working out in the vineyard – and of what truly matters.

Heritage, Craft, and Approach

Il Palagio di Panzano sits at around 470 meters high – a prime spot in the Conca d’Oro, Panzano's so-called Golden Valley. The estate covers about eight hectares of vineyards, complemented by olive trees, a vegetable garden, and a beautiful agriturismo with five apartments.

The family manages the estate with a natural approach, focusing clearly on Sangiovese. The decision to dedicate themselves exclusively to this grape variety was a conscious one: It represents the identity of Chianti Classico and authentically reflects the region's terroir.

Le Bambole & Aldemara: Wines with a Story

Two wines with special meaning:

– Le Bambole, a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, comes from the last vineyard Monia planted with her father. But the name also hints at her two daughters.

– Aldemara, an elegant Rosato, is dedicated to her grandmother, with whom she spent a lot of time in the fields as a child.

Both wines show how personal experiences and expert knowledge come together – and how wine can become a cultural expression.

Understanding Terroir – not just feeling it

A key topic in our chat is Panzano's terroir. Monia, working with an agronomist, had the soils of her vineyards analyzed in detail – an investment that's pretty unusual for smaller wineries. Two formations shape the land: Pietraforte and Formazione Sillano. Their differences significantly influence the style of the wines and reveal insights into the character of individual vineyards.

This knowledge isn't just crucial for winemaking, but also part of a long-term understanding of quality, based on observation, experience, and patience.

Wine, Holidays, and Local Cuisine

In addition to winegrowing, the Piccini family also runs a fairytale agriturismo. Guests can stay in vacation apartments, relax in the pool, harvest seasonal vegetables from the garden and take part in cooking courses on request. If you don't just want to drink Chianti Classico, but experience it, you will find a place where wine, landscape and people belong together.

Conclusion: Il Palagio di Panzano stands for a combination of origin, craftsmanship and attitude. In our interview, Monia provides an honest, reflective insight into the life of a winemaker - and shows how much depth, knowledge and personality can be found in every bottle of Chianti Classico.

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