Wine Program in the Making: Vallone di Cecione

Few days ago the team of Villa La Petraia had the opportunity to be a guest at Vallone di Cecione, a winery that is part of Chianti Classico.

As you may know we are building our Wine Program 2022 and Vallone di Cecione is one of those wineries that we believe to be in line with our program. 

 What is in reality a Wine Program? 

First of all let’s try to clarify what actually is a wine program.

In simple words it is a sort of guideline that a restaurant/hotel follows in order to structure its cellar and its wine list. 

Villa la Petraia has always wanted to impose itself as a wine hotel as well – in short, a place where during the guest’s stay it would be possible to live unique experiences related to the world of food and wine. 

Our 2022

So, as we said in the previous lines, during the last week of february we started our little journey to discover those producers we wanted to have on our wine list. 

We decided to dedicate to all the wineries that will collaborate with us a blog post in order to give you the chance to know them better.

As you may have guessed, this article will tell about our tasting journey in Vallone di Cecione. 

The Winery, The Story

Vallone di Cecione is a small family-run winery located a few kilometers from Panzano in Chianti in the heart of the Chianti Classico area.

We are talking about the beautiful “Conca d’oro of Panzano”. This valley is so called because of the fantastic exposure to sunlight and the geological composition of the soil which allows the production of very high level wines. 

On their website they introduce themselves as follows 

“The total surface of the winery is slightly less than eight hectares, half of which is dedicated to viticulture with vineyards located at an altitude of 460 meters above sea level. The other half is dedicated to olive growing with the presence of over 700 olive trees. The lands that define the farm are dominated by the old farmhouse with turret, dating back to the fourteenth century, where Anichini family lives. The company owes its name, in fact, to Cecione which is a small area in which there are also two other farms, and from Vallone, ancient name of a field that descends from the house towards the valley floor where, since ancient times was born an excellent wine. Since 2001 Francesco Anichini takes care of the farm full time, continuing to make use of the indispensable help of his parents. This right integration between modern agricultural techniques and wine making tradition gives life to Chianti Classico Vallone di Cecione, a wine which can boast a typical production and an excellent quality. The whole production of the winery is organic”.

We understand we are talking about a winery with a strong identity, entirely organic and extremely bound to the land. 

Their wines tells about this bond. 

Their dedication to work tells about their passion.

Moreover, if you visit the winery you can really breathe an extremely particular atmosphere.

Christine herself tells she felt at home – it reminded her of her uncle’s farm where she spent most of her childhood.

The Wines

Talking about wines, we find both an excellent production in terms of Chianti Classico as well as other wine making ideas halfway between tradition and innovation – they use historical grapes to create unexpected wines.

Let’s analyze first of all their Chianti Classico.

As already mentioned we find an entirely organic and accurate production.

Vallone’s Chianti Classico is made of 90% of Sangiovese and 10% of Canaiolo. 

Produced from carefully selected grapes, the harvest is done completely by hand between the last week of September and the first week of October in order to have reached the perfect ripeness of the grapes. 

The vineyard has a south-eastern exposure and the medium-textured clay soil is the perfect environment for the grapes to develop. 

The wine ages for about 8 months in large casks and at least 4 months of aging in bottle in order to find a better balance in these wines.

What does this wine tell us? 

To the nose it is very fruity with hints of cherry, the aromatic family of red fruits peeps out. Floral aromas reminiscent of Violet. Good crispness. A wine which is not very intrusive to the palate and it is also very good to be matched with red meat and game. 

Let’s now talk about their Malvasia

“In the “Allegra” vineyard, which expands in the lowest part of the estate, grows Malvasia Nera which we decided to vinify in purity with a short aging in terracotta amphorae. The result is a very particular wine, aromatic and velvety, with an intense flavor, very agreeable and easy to match. About 800 bottles are produced and this small quantity makes the wine even more special”.

This is how they introduce it to us from the winery – A pure black malvasia also cultivated on south-set soils tending to clayey and of medium texture.

Aging in this case takes place in terracotta amphorae for 6 months. 

“The wine has an intense ruby red color, with aromas of ripe fruit, hints of spice and black pepper, complex and elegant with harmonious tannins…of great personality.”

And the pairings? 

“Medium to long aged cheeses, red meats, stewed dishes and pasta. Such pleasant drinking also allows pairings with fish and lighter meals.”

Dulcis in Fundo: Canaiolo

Of the winery’s 5 products, this is the one, along with Malvasia, that most captured our attention. 

They tell us about it like this – a beautiful tale of passion, love and dedication

“The Canaiolo vine is a symbol of our past as winemakers, always cultivated on our land. My family (partly present on the label with a photo from 1984) has always appreciated this type of grape, just think that my grandfather Giovanni used to pick it for the best schiacciate con l’uva (pressed with grapes) and to make a wine to drink every day that would be pleasant, more ready and fresher than Sangiovese. For too many years Canaiolo has been considered only a complement, but a while ago I decided to rediscover it in all its essence and particularity, letting it ferment and refine briefly in cement barrels to keep intact its floral aromas and the particularities that distinguish it. The choice in making this wine is to have something “less known” but that represents and describes at best our roots of farmers. I dedicate it to those who appreciated it before me, to those who will appreciate it today, tomorrow and to all my family”.

Aging in this case takes place in cement barrels. A bouquet of wild flowers explodes on the nose. The palate is very pleasing and never ungainly, excellent persistence. Tannins are not intrusive. 

A clean, precise and balanced wine. 

Also in this case, just like Malvasia, we suggest the matching with medium or long seasoned cheese, red meat, stewed dishes and pasta. The very agreeable drink also allows the matching with fish and lighter meals. 

It is certainly suitable for summertime as well and it is a red wine for all seasons.

This is the end of our little journey inside Vallone di Ceciona. 

We hope we have intrigued you and if you have any questions please write to us, we will be extremely happy to answer them.

Villa la Petraia,

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