About a half hour’s drive east from Siena takes one to the edge of the Chianti Classico sub area of Chianti. A wonderful winery and vineyard to visit is Fèlsina where one can grapple with how old is old. To those living on the east coast of the United States, old may well be Jamestown, Virginia. The Jamestown Colony that began in 1607 may seem old, but ruins surrounded by vineyards at Fèlsina date to 1142. The first occupants of the house were monks and later farmers. Now ancient windows frame vineyards just meters away.
About twenty percent of the 1200-acre property is under vine. The main grape variety planted is Sangiovese. The property is actually in two different appellations: the Chianti Classico appellation zone and the Chianti Colli Senesi appellation zone. As a result, grapes from each zone need to be harvested separately and made into separate wines if the DOCG is mentioned on the label. A large sign of the black rooster is on the property indicating that one is in the Chianti Classico region.
Visitors can tour the cantina where large wood tanks age the wine as well as French barrels. The tasting room is in an adjacent building. The small intimate room affords the wine enthusiast a personal touch where wines can be tasted as well as Fèlsina’s single variety olive oils. These olive oils are produced on site following the Veronelli’s Method.
Enjoy exploring wineries in the Chianti Classico area of Tuscany. Fèlsina offers a historical perspective on the region as well as opportunities to taste wines from two different DOCG and taste single variety olive oils.
Read more about Fèlsina on the Wine Trail Traveler site.
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