Fattoria di Rignana Il Riccio Toscano Rosso IGT

Fattoria di Rignana Il Riccio Toscano Rosso IGT

A super tuscan with draught

“Il Riccio” is also a member of the Fattoria di Rignana red wine family. Since the 2009 vintage, this pure Merlot - a so-called super tuscan - which grows and thrives on the sunny slopes of the Rignana hills, has been part of the range of red wines on offer. After 21 days of fermentation in stainless steel vats, this special red wine from Tuscany matures for 24 months in new oak barrels - then still in the bottle. An "Il Riccio" in a glass, this is an Italian red wine full of power: the flavor is surrounded by warm aromas, paired with balanced spice. The eye is delighted by a dark purple color and after the supply of sufficient air a wonderful smell of forest berries develops. A perfect wine to spend a Tuscan evening with. And you may ask yourself where the name "Il Riccio" comes from because of the label - even on the 1.5 liter magnum bottle you will see a hedgehog. And "Riccio" is the Italian word for hedgehog. In earlier times this was the heraldic animal of a noble owner of the winery.

Fattoria e Villa di Rignana: a power place in Tuscany with wine, flair & more

The Fattoria e Villa di Rignana in Panzano is a wine-growing estate in Tuscany like a picture book: the property is situated in the gentle hilly landscape of Chianti Classico among vineyards, olive groves and cypresses - a place of strength, as owner Cosimo Gericke likes to emphasize. The history of the estate dates back to the 11th century, and wine was already cultivated here in the 17th century. At that time the estate was owned by the Dè Ricci family of Florentines, whose coat of arms depicted the hedgehog, the "Riccio". And even today you can still find the prickly animal on the wine glasses, at all corners and ends of the estate and of course on the labels of olive oil and wine.

A unique winery with typical Italian wines

At the edge of the golden valley, the Conca d’Oro, lies the Fattoria e Villa di Rignana winery for agritourism. The native grape varieties Sangiovese and Canaiolo, as well as the international grape varieties Merlot and Cabernet Franc, grow and thrive on an area of around 14 hectares. As for the wines of the house, the Fattoria di Rignana, in addition to the Chianti Classico, made from 85% Sangiovese and 15% Canaiolo grapes, also has an excellent Chianti Classico Riserva, made from Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc, a fruity fresh Rosato, the fragrant white wine Bianco and, since 2013, a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione - a selection of the best Sangiovese grapes from Rignana. The super tuscan "Il Riccio" - a pure Merlot - was even named after the heraldic animal, the hedgehog. Since 2014 the Fattoria di Rignana has been awarded the organic certificate. And of course this also applies to the strong, spicy olive oil that is produced here.

For yes-men and dream holidaymakers: wedding and holidays on an agriturismo

In addition the beautiful villa is open to guests from all over the world for an agritour: there are two large apartments with spacious living rooms and fully equipped kitchens, as well as elegant and stylishly furnished bedrooms. Guests have the possibility to book single or double rooms with breakfast, one of the apartments with two to four bedrooms or the whole villa, which is suitable for a maximum of 16 persons. And thanks to the house’s own chapel, Rignana is also an excellent place to get married. If you wish, you can say "yes" under the shady trees. And of course the newlyweds can also spend their honeymoon here in a wonderful way: romantic breakfast between roses and lavender, idleness at the infinity pool with a view to the vineyards and in the evening culinary delights from Tuscany in the Cantinetta next door. And a glass of red wine - perfetto!