Le Fonti Panzano

Panzano in Chianti

Family Business in Chianti Classico

In the heart of Chianti Classico, halfway between Florence and Siena, lies the picturesque village of Panzano. It was here that Vicky Schmitt-Vitali and her husband Guido took over the Fattoria Le Fonti winery from Vicky's father Konrad a few years ago. This winery, which looks back on a long tradition, is still a genuine family business today. Vicky and Guido have continued and developed their father's work with great passion and commitment, making Fattoria Le Fonti an authentic example of a successful family business in Tuscany.

In Panzano in Chianti

Fattoria Le Fonti is located in the historic center of Panzano in Chianti, just below the village church. The winery covers a total area of 15 hectares, of which 8.5 hectares are planted with vines. The remaining area is used for the cultivation of olive trees. The vineyards are located in the Alta Valle della Greve, the valley of the River Greve, which extends to around 450 meters above sea level and offers ideal conditions for growing grapes thanks to its unique location. The valley lies on the other side of the famous Conca d'Oro and is known for its excellent growing conditions.

Cool conditions

The vineyards of Fattoria Le Fonti are located in a cooler part of Panzano, which is particularly advantageous in years with hot and dry summers. Too much sunlight can have a negative impact on the quality of the grapes, which is why the cooler temperatures in this region are ideal for ripening the grapes. Since 1994, Vicky's father Konrad has planted the vineyards with new vines, focusing on the traditional Chianti variety Sangiovese. In addition, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are also cultivated to ensure the diversity of the wines.

"Cool" wines

Since taking over the winery in 1994, Fattoria Le Fonti has been producing typical red wines from the Chianti Classico region. The Chianti Classico and the Chianti Classico Riserva form the basis of the range, both of which are known for their high quality and characteristic taste. With the 2013 vintage, the range was expanded to include the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, a wine made from 100% Sangiovese grapes that meets the highest standards. Another outstanding wine from the winery is the Fontissimo, a so-called Supertuscan, which consists mainly of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The range is rounded off by a single-varietal Merlot, the house wine "La Lepre", a refreshing Rosato and a high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

Bio-logical

For Vicky and Guido, who are parents of three children, sustainability is at the heart of their work. They attach great importance to the responsible use of natural resources and the winery has been certified organic since 2019. Both the vines and the more than 1,500 olive trees are cultivated according to strict organic guidelines. Vicky and Guido also use gentle methods when processing the grapes and olives in order to guarantee the high quality of their products. They are firmly convinced that the basis of a good wine lies in the vineyard and that quality can only be ensured in the long term through sustainable cultivation methods.

A warm welcome

Despite the many international awards that the wines of Fattoria Le Fonti have received, Vicky and Guido are actually career changers in the winemaking profession. Vicky comes from Germany, while Guido comes from Tuscany. Both worked in completely different professions before deciding to take over and run the winery. Today, Fattoria Le Fonti is one of the leading wineries in Tuscany, not far from Greve in Chianti. Visitors are very welcome at the winery and can take part in guided tours of the vineyards and wine cellars. Vicky Schmitt-Vitali is happy to take the time to explain the special features of Le Fonti's vineyards, introduce the different grape varieties and invite visitors to a wine tasting in the picturesque wine cellar.

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