Bastioni Dei Collazzi Chianti Classico

HISTORY  Villa Collazzi is one of the most impressive estates in all of Tuscany. Set atop a hill located a few miles south of Florence on the old road to Volterra, it offers commanding views of the surrounding countryside. This architectural landmark was originally designed by Michelangelo in 1560 for his friend, Agostino Dini. It features two rows of loggias above a large courtyard enclosed on three sides and open on a fourth. The building remained incomplete for centuries until it was purchased by the Marchi family in 1933.

Of the estate’s 960 acres (388.50 ha), 71 acres (28.73 ha) are currently planted to vines. The soils are composed of clay, sand and rock. Well-draining and low in organic matter, they offer the perfect habitat for grapes. The property is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot. The wines are aged primarily in new French oak barrels.

Villa Collazzi is currently run by three siblings from the Marchi family – Carlo Marchi, Grazia Marchi Gazzoni Frascara and Bona Marchi Frescobaldi. The first vintage under the Collazzi label was 1999. During the last decade the Marchis invested heavily in the development of Collazzi’s farming business, renewing the vineyards and restructuring the cellar.

VINEYARDS & WINEMAKING  The vineyards are located at the Collazzi estate located in the town of Impruneta (Florence).

Total acres under vine = 71.

Elevation – 590 ft. above sea level

Exposure – South / West

Sandy and clay soils, rich in limestone, with an abundantly rocky texture, have led to the choice of planting grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and only small amounts of the more traditional varieties.

Planting Density – 2,477 vines per acre

Training System – Mostly spurred cordon, which is most suited to grape varieties which bear fruit from (basali) buds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Average vine age – 15 years old

At Collazzi the microclimate is normally warmer and drier than the surrounding area. Part of the estate lies in a natural amphitheater, with a perfect south-westerly exposure. The high amount of sun light and warm daily temperatures allow a prolonged, complete ripening of the farming products, consistently each year.

Wine is grown on 25 hectares (62 acres), while the specialized cultivation of 120 hectares (297 acres) of olive trees produces a precious extra virgin olive oil. Collazzi is also dedicated to the raising of bees, yielding a small quantity of organic honey.

Winemaker - Alberto Torelli has been the Cellar Master and winemaker at Tenuta di Collazzi since the 2005 harvest.

Born in Florence in 1981, Alberto has deep agricultural roots—farming has been a passion in the Torelli family for generations. At twenty, he began his studies in Viticulture and Enology at the University of Florence while gaining hands-on experience working with wineries throughout the Chianti region.

In 2005, a fortuitous meeting with Lamberto Frescobaldi led to an opportunity at Collazzi, just as the estate was undergoing a major renovation of its cellar and adopting modern winemaking techniques. Twenty years later, Alberto still approaches each vintage at Collazzi with the same passion and dedication that marked his very first. The wines of Tenuta di Collazzi are a reflection of his dedication and the collective expertise of the entire team.

Alberto describes himself as “a lover of the land, an ambassador of its flavors.”