L’ Erta di Radda
Radda in Chianti
-
![L' Erta di Radda Chianti Classico DOCG]()
L' Erta di Radda Chianti Classico DOCG
A wonderful example of a Chianti Classico from Radda, with that typical Radda in Chianti character: plenty of acidity, strong tannins, lots of fruit, and even more elegance. They've managed to perfectly harmonize everything here.
-
![L' Erta di Radda Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG]()
L' Erta di Radda Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
You could say it's typically Riserva: with aromas of dark fruits and berries, impressive spice and structure. It's powerful. Firm tannins, powerful yet elegant acidity, and again, lots of fruit. It shows incredible aging potential and is already super enjoyable to drink right now!
-
![L' Erta di Radda 2 & 2 Rosso Toscana IGT]()
L' Erta di Radda 2 & 2 Rosso Toscana IGT
A fantastic red wine for seafood and fish, especially when tomatoes are involved. Two red grape varieties (Sangiovese, Canaiolo) and two white grape varieties (Malvasia, Trebbiano) give this wine not only its name but also its absolute charm!
-
![L' Erta di Radda Bianco Toscana IGT]()
L' Erta di Radda Bianco Toscana IGT
This white wine from Radda has lovely smells of citrus, summer flowers, nuts, and even a hint of bread. It's got a nice, elegant tang and a smooth feel. Plus, it stays super fresh and isn't just for sipping before dinner!
From Zero to Wine: A Dream Come True and a Big Success!
Diego started the L'Erta di Radda winery back in 2006. He was only 24 when he managed to buy five hectares of vineyards from a well-known winemaker in Radda in Chianti. What's cool is that Diego didn't grow up in a wine family or have any family ties to winemaking. But he decided to study viticulture and oenology to chase his dream of having his own winery. By 2009, he was already making his own wines, and they quickly became a huge hit!
Perfect Conditions for Wines with Real Personality
Most of their vineyards are super close to the family home. They usually face southeast and sit about 430 meters (that's about 1400 feet) above sea level. Thanks to the unique local weather, there's always a gentle breeze, which keeps the vineyards and vines nicely aired out. And on those hot days, the surrounding forest helps keep things cool. The soil is classic for this area, a mix of clay, sand, marl, and that famous Tuscan 'Galestro' rock. These vineyards are pretty old, with some planted way back in 1967! Diego keeps adding more, with the latest expansion in 2009.
Small Team, Big Wins!
Diego pretty much runs the whole winery himself, with a little help from his wife, Elisa, who's also the cellar master. She pitches in with making the wine and during harvest time. All the grapes at L'Erta di Radda are picked by hand, usually from late September to mid-October. Even though it's a small operation, they've already won some big awards, like the top rating of 'three glasses' for their 2021 Chianti Classico from the famous Italian wine guide, Gambero Rosso!
A Wine Collection with True Tuscan Charm
Today, Diego and Elisa make several awesome wines: a Chianti Classico, a Chianti Classico Riserva, and an IGT wine called Due e Due (that's 'Two and Two'). This special one is made from two red grapes – Sangiovese and Canaiolo – and two white grapes – Malvasia and Trebbiano. To top off L'Erta di Radda's small but super lovely range, there's also a white wine crafted from classic Tuscan grapes like Malvasia, Trebbiano, and Vermentino.
Give and Take
Diego has been super focused on sustainable farming for ages, not just since they got their organic certification in 2013. He's always trying to cut down on copper, which is allowed in organic farming but can be a bit tricky, by tweaking the water's pH level. He also uses composted vine trimmings as fertilizer, and Diego says this has really boosted the vineyards' health. "You can really see a better balance between the energy the plants get from the soil and the nutrients the soil provides," Diego explains.
A Bit of a Logistical Challenge
One of the trickiest things for this young winemaking couple is that their wine cellar is almost a 30-minute drive from the vineyards. This is a pretty big hurdle, especially during harvest! To make sure the grapes don't oxidize, they whisk them away in air-conditioned vehicles so they arrive at the cellar nice and cool. The cellar itself has stainless steel tanks for fermenting and aging, plus huge 2000-liter oak barrels. The wines ferment naturally without any added yeast and then age, depending on the type, either in those stainless steel tanks or in the "Botte grande" (big barrels).
