Tenuta Degli Dei Forcole Chianti Classico DOCG

Forcole Chianti Classico DOCG from Tenuta degli Dei

A heavenly red wine from one hundred per cent Sangiovese 

Tommaso Cavalli, son of the famous fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, is not only an internationally extremely successful breeder of noble trotting horses, but since the year 2000 also an aspiring winegrower. Even though the Chianti Classico forms the basis of the assortment at other wineries in Tuscany, it is an exception at Tenuta degli Dei - the divine name of the Cavalli estate - and was added to the assortment rather late. What did happen? Quite simply, it is because Tenuta degli Dei has no Sangiovese grapes in its vineyards. Niente! But as the Chianti Classico connoisseurs know, a genuine Chianti Classico must contain at least 80 per cent Sangiovese. So how is it possible that since 2013 there is a 100% Sangiovese Chianti Classico from Cavalli called Forcole? Quite simple: the Sangiovese grapes required for Chianti Classico come from a three-hectare vineyard near the Tenuta, which Tommaso has rented. After being harvested by hand, the grapes are taken directly to the Tenuta degli Dei in San Leolino for vinification. The wine then matures for 14 months in oak barrels and another six months in the bottle in the cellar directly under the church of San Leolino. And Cavalli Chianti Classico tastes exactly like that: simply heavenly!

Tenuta degli Dei: the estate of the Cavalli family in San Leolino

Originally, the Florentine star designer Roberto Cavalli bought the property not far from Panzano in Chianti in the early 1970s aiming to have a place to recover from the hustle and bustle of the fashion business. His son Tommaso, who has lived with his family on the Tenuta degli Dei since 1989, turned the estate into a flourishing business. In total, the estate, which belongs to the small village of San Leolino, covers an area of about 70 hectares. A special feature is that the wine cellar and the wine-making facilities are not located directly at the winery, but within the walls of the Romanesque church of San Leolino: the old vault where the wine barrels are stored is located just below the church. And the vinification takes place wall to wall with the church. One could almost say that the wine from the Tenuta degli Dei - which directly translated means "God’s winery" - is produced with heavenly blessing.

A cosmopolitan family with fashion, wines and more…

Tommaso has only been active as a winegrower since 2000. He is supported by none other than the star oenologist Carlo Ferrini. Together they decided to plant exclusively on five hectares the international grape varieties Alicante, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The first Cavalli wine was presented in 2004  - a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Later the Le Redini wine was added - a blend from Alicante and Merlot. Since 2013 Cavalli do also produce a Chianti Classico with the name Forcole. The necessary Sangiovese grapes come from a vineyard very close to the property that Tommaso has leased. Another vineyard, whose grapes are also processed in the Tenuta degli Dei, is located at the Cavallis estate in Florence. More than 1,800 Alicante vines grow and thrive there. Tommaso is changing the cultivation of its vineyards from conventional to organic and sustainable. And not to forget: in addition to designer fashion, grappa, vodka and gin, Cavalli also produces a fiery peperoncino oil called Foho Fiorentino. Nice and hot!