We are now at the end of a difficult and crazy year. At the end of a year full of unexpected events. This year has torn us out of our everyday lives, out of everything that was previously "normal" for us. And it has pushed many of us to our limits: health-wise, humanly, existentially. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to my clients. It has been an amazing year - and I am infinitely grateful that you have shown such solidarity with the winegrowers in Chianti Classico during this difficult time and have of course also helped Nina in Chianti through this period. Grazie!

2020 in retrospect: a year full of longing, but also joie de vivre 

Lockdown, working from home, staying at home, keeping your distance: This year, each and every one of us was confronted with this in one way or another. Traveling to Italy was also difficult and sometimes even impossible. For this very reason, I have tried to bring a piece of Panzano home to you with the blog series #sehnsuchtchianticlassico to satisfy your longing for this wonderful corner of the world a little. The many positive responses to my reports in spring about the situation on the ground and the insights into the everyday lives of the winegrowers affected by COVID-19 were very encouraging.

Over the summer, I've done everything I can to make sure you have a good culinary time: with typical recipes from Tuscany, which I've shared with you in the #lebensfreudechianticlassico series. From pane toscano to antipasti, pappa al pomodoro and insalata di farro to pollo alla cantadina, I have served you a menu full of Italian joie de vivre to enjoy at home.

Outlook: Good news for the 2020 vintage

As we are looking so positively to the future, we have some more good news for you: The growing season and the 2020 harvest went very well in Chianti Classico and we can look forward to an excellent 2020 vintage. All the winegrowers have spoken in unison about the great quality they have brought into the cellar this year! Unfortunately, I have not (yet) been able to see this for myself, as I was last in Chianti in September. At that time, the harvest was in full swing.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend the olive harvest in November this year either - but my winemakers are convinced that the olive oil in 2020 turned out great. Top quality - and plenty of it. But it's best to see for yourself, because I have some good news for you at the end: the fresh olive oil has just arrived! 

With this in mind, I hope that we will taste together again in 2021, perhaps a little more impartially and freely. Perhaps with a smile instead of a mask on our faces and perhaps with a little more closeness instead of distance! That's what I wish for from the bottom of my heart!