Lot 13
Tuscan Titan

1 – 6 Liter 1997 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve
1 – 6 Liter 2004 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve
One (1) week holiday at Villa Pecille for two (2) couples, including car and driver
Dinner at Enoteca Pinchiorri, hosted by Giovanni Manetti
Guided Tour of Florence
Tour and Tasting at Fontodi

Under the stewardship of the Manetti family since the early 1960s, Fontodi is one of the flagship wineries in all of Tuscany. The winery’s director, Giovanni Manetti, continues to honor its traditions of stewardship and the promotion of Chianti’s most famous and important grape - Sangiovese.

Nestled under the historic town of Panzano, Fontodi selects its finest Sangiovese grapes for its finest wine - Flaccianello della Pieve. One of the first all-Sangiovese Super Tuscans, Flaccianello was originally created by the Manettis in 1981 and comes from grapes harvested from vines that are at least 30 years old. After settling in barriques for 16 to 18 months, the wine is aged an additional year in the bottle before its release.

Two monumental bottles of this incredible wine highlight this Tuscan experience. Each considered a “classic” by Wine Spectator, earning matching 95 point reviews. The 2004 Flaccianello is a gorgeous wine, with notes of blackberry, cream and flowers framed by lightly toasted oak. Still an infant, this super-silky wine merits a few years of patient cellaring. Its older sibling, the 1997, is just now beginning to reveal itself in its amazing aromas of berries and spices. Full-bodied and polished, it just builds and builds on the palate, leading to a crescendo of dark fruits on its finish.

There is no better way to savor the flavor that is Chianti Classico than with a one-week stay at Fontodi’s Villa Pecille. A renovated farmhouse furnished in an elegant country style, it features terraces, a panoramic pool, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and a fully-equipped kitchen. While there, the two couples will be treated to a full-day guided tour of Florence, which will include lunch at a typical Florentine restaurant.

During your stay, Giovanni Manetti and his wife will host dinner at Florence’s celebrated Enoteca Pinchiorri. A Michelin Three-Star restaurant, this sumptuous Renaissance palace is considered by many to be the high temple of Italian gastronomy. Its cellar’s vast holdings are legendary, even in a region known for its love of wine. Of course, the Manettis will also arrange a tour and tasting in Fontodi’s cellars during the visit.

The couples are free to explore during their days and to plan their own dining excursions, as a car and driver will be provided. An English speaking manager will be on-site, as well, to assist in making any necessary arrangements. The treasures of Panzano, as well as nearby Florence and Siena are but a brief sojourn away.

Elegance and exploration. Magnificent wines for an unforgettable vacation.

Insider’s Info:  Airfare to Italy not included.  Visit to be scheduled on a mutually agreeable date.

DONOR: Giovanni Manetti of Fontodi