Podere Capaccia
Herman de Bode
Podere Capaccia
If you drive from Radda in the direction of Podere di Capaccia, you first cross a small valley - lined with vineyards on the left and right. When you reach the end of the valley, a narrow gravel road leads you quite steeply uphill. And if you think to yourself, "I'm in the wrong place...", then you are exactly right! With 550 meters of altitude, not only the location of Podere Capaccia is outstanding, but also the notable neighborhood. Virtually just a hill away is the famous Montevertine winery with its famous wine Le Pergole Torte, and just a short distance away is the legendary Castello di Albola. And just across the hill is Poggerino, another Nina in Chianti winery. All neighborly guarantors for outstanding Chianti Classico!
Everything new in vineyard, wine cellar & Co.
In 2012, a large part of the vineyard was replanted with Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Since 2011, California-born enologist Alyson Morgan has been in charge of wine at Podere Capaccia. Her mission: to bring the cellar, vineyards & Co. up to date. As an agronomist and "for everything else there is to do at the winery", Alyson is assisted by Donato. He has already been working at Capaccia for almost 20 years and knows the land and the peculiarities very well. In 2015, under Alyson's direction, the new winery was built. With newly planted vineyards, the newly built winery and the combined forces from Tuscany, California and Belgium, the estate is now experiencing its second renaissance.
From hamlet to winery
After the Second World War, Capaccia, then owned by the noble Florentine family Contiginori, had stood empty for decades. At the mercy of wind and weather, decay took hold of the once magnificent homestead. Until 1970, when Gianpaolo Pacini bought the property and restored two of the buildings that now serve as wine cellars and barrel storage. With the Capaccia Querciagrande he produced a wine that was mentioned in the same breath as the famous Supertuscans of the 90s. You can see: The potential was always there at Capaccia! After another five-year owner intermezzo, Herman de Bode finally acquired the historic estate with the eventful past in 2005.
New life for old walls
The logo of Podere Capaccia shows a street and six houses. And that is exactly what Podere Capaccia is! Six buildings built in the 12th and 14th centuries, which together formed a "Podere", that is, a medieval hamlet. And still do! Even if some of the buildings are very ruined. Still. The current owner, Herman de Bode, is in the process of renovating the historic buildings and breathing new life into them. The estate will also be filled with life when the adult children of the winemaker come. For his original intention was to find a place where his children, who are all over the world on business, would like to meet with the family. Because Belgium seemed too unattractive for this purpose, a good friend gave him the idea of making Podere Capaccia his "family place".
Layers like out of the textbook
Podere Capaccia's four hectares of vineyards, three of which are currently under cultivation, are located high on the hills of Radda in Chianti and provide the ideal conditions for growing grapes. The soils are mainly composed of sandstone, limestone and slate and have exceptional drainage and structure that allow deep root growth. The climatic conditions are also ideal: The southern exposure of the vineyards and the associated sunlight allow the grapes to ripen perfectly. And with an average altitude of 550 meters above sea level, the lower nighttime temperatures also provide the necessary cooling during the hot summer months. All these factors together ensure a slow and balanced ripening of the fruit.
The small but fine range
The range of Podere Capaccia is small but fine! With the Chianti Classico and the Chianti Classico Riserva can be found two 100% Sangiovese wines in the range. Typical for Radda in Chianti, both wines present themselves precise and elegant. Number three in the Capaccia bunch is a classic IGT, the Toscano Rosso, which consists of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 25% Sangiovese. As is often the case in Chianti, Capaccia also grows olive trees of the Leccino, Moraiolo, Frantoio varieties - and, of course, an elegant olive oil is extracted from them.
