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 the ear - For a glass of wine with Nina in Chianti", I was a guest of Monia Piccini at the Il Palagio di Panzano winery - a small family business 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 great dedication.
Our conversation took place in the estate's garden, with a view of the famous Conca d'Oro - the golden valley of Panzano. There, we talk about life as a winemaker, the challenges of the 2020 vintage, the influence of soils and locations on 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 is particularly 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 aromas of the wine remind her of this time, of working outside in the vineyard - and of what really matters.
Origin, craft and husbandry
Il Palagio di Panzano is situated at an altitude of around 470 meters - a privileged location in the Conca d'Oro, the so-called Golden Valley of Panzano. The winery comprises around eight hectares of vineyards, complemented by olive trees, a vegetable garden and a beautiful agriturismo with five residential units.
The family cultivates the estate close to nature, with a clear focus on Sangiovese. The decision to dedicate themselves exclusively to this grape variety was a conscious one: it stands for the identity of Chianti Classico and authentically reflects the terroir of the region.
Le Bambole & Aldemara: wines with history
Two wines with special significance:
- Le Bambole, a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, comes from the last vineyard that Monia planted with her father. However, the name is also a reference to 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 experience and professional know-how come together - and how wine can become a cultural expression.
Understanding terroir - not just feeling it
A central topic of conversation is the terroir of Panzano. Monia worked with an agronomist to have the soils of her vineyards analyzed in detail - a rather unusual investment for smaller wineries. Two formations characterize the land: Pietraforte and Formazione Sillano. Their differences clearly influence the style of the wines and provide information about the character of individual vineyards.
This knowledge is not only crucial for winemaking, but also part of a long-term understanding of quality based on observation, experience and patience.
Wine, vacation and regional 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.
Links that can help you
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Book a vacation at Il Palagio di Panzano
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