L' Erta di Radda
Radda in Chianti
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![L' Erta di Radda Chianti Classico DOCG]()
L' Erta di Radda Chianti Classico DOCG
A wonderful representative of a Chianti Classico from Radda, with the typical characteristics of Radda in Chianti: good acidity, strong tannins, lots of fruit and even more elegance. Everything has been harmonized perfectly here.
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![L' Erta di Radda Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG]()
L' Erta di Radda Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
Typical Riserva, you could say: aromas of dark fruit and berries, impressive spice and structure. Powerful. Firm tannins, strong but elegant acidity, and again lots of fruit. Shows incredible potential for ageing and is already great fun to drink!
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![L' Erta di Radda 2 & 2 Rosso Toscana IGT]()
L' Erta di Radda 2 & 2 Rosso Toscana IGT
A fantastic red wine with seafood and fish, especially when tomatoes are involved. Two red wine varieties (Sangiovese, Canaiolo) and two white wine varieties (Malvasia, Trebbiano) give this wine not only its name but also its absolute charm!
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![L' Erta di Radda Bianco Toscana IGT]()
L' Erta di Radda Bianco Toscana IGT
This white wine from Radda has aromas of citrus fruits, summer flowers, nuts and bread, combined with an elegant acidity and fine structure. It is persistently fresh and is not only suitable as an aperitif wine.
From zero to wine: a dream becomes a success story
The L' Erta di Radda winery was founded by Diego in 2006 when, at the age of 24, he was able to acquire five hectares of vineyards from a respected winegrower from Rada in Chianti. Diego did not come from a wine family and had no family connection to viticulture. However, he decided to study viticulture and oenology in order to realize his dream of owning his own winery. In 2009, he began producing his own wines. And he has been rapidly successful.
Perfect conditions for wines with a strong character
Most of the vineyards are located in the immediate vicinity of the family home. Most of them are south-east facing and the average altitude is 430 meters above sea level. Thanks to the special microclimate, there is always a gentle breeze, ensuring that the vineyards and vines are well ventilated. The surrounding forest provides the necessary cooling on hot days. The soils are typical of the region, characterized by clay, sand, marl and Galestro, which is well-known in Tuscany. The vineyards are old and some were planted back in 1967. Diego is continually expanding them, most recently in 2009.
Small team, big successes
Diego runs the winery almost entirely on his own, supported by his wife Elisa, who acts as cellar master. She helps him with the wine production and during the grape harvest. The grapes from the L' Erta di Radda vines are harvested entirely by hand, usually between the end of September and mid-October. Despite the small size of the winery, it has already received significant awards, such as the highest rating of three glasses for the Chianti Classico 2021 from the renowned Italian wine guide Gambero Rosso.
A wine portfolio with Tuscan character
Today, Diego and his wife Elisa produce several wines: a Chianti Classico, a Chianti Classico Riserva, an IGT wine called Due e Due (2 & 2), vinified from two red wine varieties - Sangiovese and Canaiolo - and two white wine varieties - Malvasia and Trebbiano. The small but very fine range from L' Erta di Radda is rounded off by a white wine made from the typical Tuscan grape varieties Malvasia, Trebbiano and Vermentino.
Give and take
Diego has attached great importance to sustainable farming methods, and not just since his organic certification in 2013. He continuously tries to reduce the use of copper, a problematic heavy metal that is permitted in organic farming, by adjusting the pH value of the water. He also uses composted vine pruning waste as fertilizer, which has significantly improved the health of the vineyards in Diego's eyes. "You see more and more a balance between the energy that the plants draw from the soil and the nutrients that the soil provides," explains Diego.
Logistical challenge
One of the biggest challenges for the young winemaker couple is the physical distance of their wine cellar, which is almost 30 minutes away from the vineyards. This is a considerable hurdle, especially during harvest time. To avoid oxidation, they transport the grapes in air-conditioned vehicles so that they arrive in the cellar cool and fresh. This is equipped with stainless steel tanks for fermentation and maturation as well as large oak barrels with a capacity of 2000 liters. The wines are fermented spontaneously without added yeasts and mature either in stainless steel containers or in "Botte grande", depending on the variety.
